IND vs SA: "Test Cricket Is In ICU..." - Aakash Chopra Takes Dig At South Africa, Pakistan

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed concerns about the future of Test cricket, highlighting South Africa and Pakistan’s team selections. Aakash Chopra highlighted that South Africa have prioritized the domestic T20 tournament over Test matches.

South Africa have named a second-string team for the upcoming series against New Zealand. Bedingham and Keegan Petersen, who were part of the Test squad against India, have earned selection. Captain Neil Brand is yet to make his debut in Test matches.

Pakistan have rested Shaheen Shah Afridi for the ongoing Sydney Test against Australia. Shaheen Afridi delivered an impressive performance in the recent Test match, securing six wickets in the Boxing Day Test, including four wickets in the second innings.

The Reason Is That SA20 Is About To Start – Aakash Chopra

“Believe it or not, Test cricket is in ICU at the moment and has been put on the ventilator. Firstly, a handful of teams play Test cricket and among them also, only three teams are left that can afford to play Test cricket,” Chopra said.

“South Africa recently announced their team for the series against New Zealand. They have made a proper second-string team. The reason is that SA20 is about to start. It is their domestic T20 tournament,” he added.

The Rest Of The Kids Can Play Test Cricket – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra said that the South African selectors have picked relatively lesser-known players to participate in the Test series against New Zealand. Chopra also drew attention to a similar approach by Pakistan, resting Shaheen Shah Afridi against Australia.

“Two Test matches of the WTC cycle have come this time. They said let’s leave the Test match and that they will play in the SA20, from (Aiden) Markram to (Kagiso) Rabada to everyone, that all of them should be available there (SA20) and the rest of the kids can play Test cricket. That is incident No. 1,” Chopra further added.

Cricket South Africa made a strategic move last year by opting out of the ODI series against Australia to prioritize player participation in the inaugural season of SA20. They made this decision despite the potential risk to their World Cup 2023 qualification.

New Zealand are set to host South Africa for two matches as part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle in February. The matches are scheduled to take place in February in Mount Maunganui and Hamilton.

Also read: IND vs SA: “Indian Bowlers Don’t Get As Much Help From The Pitch That The Opposing Team Takes” – Aakash Chopra