Indian captain Rohit Sharma believes that it is the duty of every ICC member to protect the sanctity of Test cricket as it remains the ultimate format.
Cricket South Africa selected seven uncapped players, including inexperienced debutant Neil Brand, for the upcoming tour of New Zealand to accommodate top stars for the cash-rich SA20, which coincides with the Test series.
For me, Test remains the ultimate challenge and we would like to see the best players playing that format but everyone has their own issues to deal with and make sure there is a reason behind it, Rohit responded when asked about the CSA move.
But he was clear that he always wants top players to play Tests.
I don't know what the reason is (because SA doesn't pick senior players) and in Test cricket you want the best players available but like I said I don't know what internal discussions are at CSA but from my perspective the priority is should be given to Test cricket. It's a challenge you face every day, the Indian skipper said.
Check out the match details and full scorecard of the 2nd Test between India and South Africa here
India's centrally contracted players are not allowed to play any other T20 competitions and BCCI does not take up international cricket at that stage.
I feel like we don't have such problems right now, he smiled.
But when a writer tried to suggest that it is BCCI's responsibility to save Test cricket, the skipper replied that the responsibility does not lie with one or two countries, but with all countries.
Test cricket is something that we all need to protect and it is not the responsibility of just one or two countries, but everyone who plays, keep it fun and entertaining.
“All over the world you can see solid Test cricket being played and you've seen results and competitive cricket played everywhere so it's everyone's duty to make sure it stays nice and healthy and that's what people come to see .That is everyone's responsibility, he added.
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First print: January 3, 2024 | 10:02 am IST