Virat Kohli Not In Favour Of Four-Day Test Matches

The most ancient form of cricket has undergone a plethora of changes since its inception, and now the International Cricket Council are considering to trip the five-days Test to four days. Team India skipper Virat Kohli, who has been a strong advocate for the longest format of the game, has vehemently opposed the proposal.

The apex body of cricket is heavily exploring the idea of four-day Tests to the extent of making it a part of the 2023 ICC World Test Championship. While there have been mixed opinions from other stalwarts of the game with Michael Vaughan and Mark Taylor favouring the idea while there have been strong backlashes from Glenn McGrath and Nathan Lyon.

Read More: Jasprit Bumrah Spills Beans On How To Get Steve Smith Out

Virat Kohli Against Four-Day Tests

Speaking to the press on the eve of the 1st T20I between India and Sri Lanka, Virat Kohli said he is not in favour of tampering with the traditional 5-day format of Test cricket.

“According to me, it (5-day Tests) should not be altered. As I said, the day-night is another step towards commercialising Test cricket and you know, creating excitement around it, but it can’t be tinkered with too much. I don’t believe so,” Kohli said. “You know the Day-Night Test is the most that should be changed about Test cricket, according to me,” he added.

Read More: Irfan Pathan Set To Announce Retirement From All Forms Of Cricket

Furthermore, Virat Kohli said that he doesn’t endorse four-day Test matches and pointed out certain points and stated that all five days are essential as the spinners come into play in the latter half of the game.

“One, there’s the weather element. But (also) the wickets these days are probably a lot flatter than they have been in the past, so it allows teams to bat longer and to put pressure on sides and you need that time for the pitch to deteriorate and bring spinners in more on day five as well. I’m totally against it, and I hope ICC isn’t even considering it,” Kohli concluded.