NZ vs SA: "Sets Very Bad Precedent" - Venkatesh Prasad On CSA Prioritizing SA20 Over Test Cricket

Former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad who had a good time as an international cricketer from 1996 to 2001, has hit out on players choosing to prioritize cash-laden franchise cricket tournaments instead of wanting to represent their respective nations in the longest format of the game.

Test cricket is actually how the game of cricket started and it is considered as the heart and soul of the game. However, in the modern era, Test cricket’s importance has diminished and in order to keep it away from extinction, the ICC a couple of years ago decided to organize World Test Championships to attract viewers in an exciting format where all Test-playing nations tussle for 2 years to play in the finale.

And the Tweet from Venkatesh Prasad was a response to a fan asking him about his opinion on South Africa choosing to send a 3rd string team for a 2-match Test series against New Zealand as most of the senior players will be busy taking part in their domestic franchise league, the SA20 league.

Traditionally, Test cricket was considered the pinnacle of the game, where players showcased their skills and endurance over five days. However, in the modern era, the allure of big money and lucrative contracts in T20 leagues has reshaped players’ priorities, leading to a noticeable shift away from Test cricket.

One of the key factors contributing to this transformation is the financial windfall associated with franchise T20 tournaments. Players are enticed by substantial contracts offered by various leagues around the world, such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), Big Bash League (BBL), and Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

These tournaments promise significant financial rewards in a relatively short span, enticing cricketers to prioritize franchise commitments over representing their nation in Test matches.

The statistics paint a clear picture of this paradigm shift. High-profile players, once synonymous with Test cricket, are now allocating a considerable portion of their playing time to T20 leagues. The IPL, for instance, has witnessed astronomical sums being spent on player auctions, with marquee names fetching staggering amounts.

This shift in focus has led to concerns about the diminishing importance of Test cricket as star players opt for the instant gratification provided by T20 tournaments, something that not just Venkatesh Prasad worries about but a handful of former cricketers have also expressed their worries on the same.

Audience preferences also play a pivotal role in the ascendancy of franchise T20 cricket. The fast-paced nature of T20 matches, with results typically determined within a few hours, caters to the modern viewer’s appetite for excitement and instant gratification. Test matches, characterized by their longer duration and strategic nuances, struggle to keep pace with the frenetic energy of T20 cricket.

Venkatesh Prasad Hopes Franchise Cricket Doesn’t Become The Way Forward

Earlier today on X (formerly Twitter), a fan had raised a question about the South African cricket board sending a mere and inexperienced 3rd string team for their upcoming tour to New Zealand in February for a 2-match Test series, the fan also asked if Tests have become a luxury or not.

In response, Venkatesh Prasad described the state of modern-day cricket and expressed his anger as well as grief on franchise cricket becoming more important than Tests.

“Sets a very bad precedent. Sad that it has reached this state where Franchise cricket has surpassed Test cricket in Priority, Hope this doesn’t become the way forward,” Venkatesh Prasad said. 

Sets a very bad precedent. Sad that it has reached this state where Franchise cricket has surpassed Test cricket in priority . Hope this doesn’t become the way forward. https://t.co/6iy1ctQeBf

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) December 31, 2023

Venkatesh Prasad retired from international cricket after picking up 96 Test wickets in 33 matches and 196 wickets in 131 ODI matches.