IND vs AUS Test Series: Ian Botham is worried about the state of Test cricket in India. The legendary England player has claimed that ‘It’s all IPL’ in the country. The 67-year-old believes the Indian Premier League (IPL) brings in a lot of money but added that it will not endure as long as Test cricket. This observation by Botham came ahead of crucial India vs Australia series. Follow India vs Australia Test Series LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
WATCH as Virat Kohli, KL Rahul joins Team India in Nagpur for 1st match of Border Gavaskar Trophy
IND vs AUS Test Series: ‘It’s all IPL’ Ian Botham BEMOANS about state of Test Cricket in India ahead of CRUNCH Border Gavaskar Trophy series, Check OUT
Former English all-rounder Ian Botham bemoaned the declining interest in Test cricket among Indian players and spectators.
Botham cautioned players, particularly young ones, to prioritise Test cricket because if they lose interest, the format will end. Botham made this statement in an interview with Mirror Sport. He stated:
“You go to India now and they won’t watch Test cricket. It’s all IPL. They earn big money and it sounds great now, but how long do they think this is going to last? Test cricket has been around for 100 years plus, it’s not going to go anywhere. And if we do lose Test cricket, then we’ll lose cricket as we know it. It will become meaningless. To play a Test match is what every player should want to do.”
Talking about Test Cricket culture in England, Ian said:
“We’re lucky in England, all the Tests are probably sold out by now for The Ashes, certainly the first four days anyway. They don’t get that anywhere else in the world.”
“In Australia, if England are playing you’ll probably get 75-80,000 on Boxing Day. Most grounds in Test cricket wouldn’t get that in a season.”
India vs Australia Test series
The Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour of India will start on February 9 at VCA Stadium in Nagpur. The next three Test matches will take place at Ahmedabad, Dharamsala, and Delhi.
Let’s go boys! 💪🇦🇺 https://t.co/88oAnYO3Zl
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) February 1, 2023
Australia’s tour of India, 2022-23 – Test series |
|||
Sr. No. | Date | Match | Venue |
1 | 9th – 13th February | 1st Test | Nagpur |
2 | 17th – 21st February | 2nd Test | Delhi |
3 | 1st – 5th March | 3rd Test | Dharamsala |
4 | 9th – 13th March | 4th Test | Ahmedabad |