Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the BCCI should establish ‘standard Test centres’ for hosting Test matches in India.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin cited examples to show that other Test-playing nations have fixed venues in order to maximise the advantage of home conditions.
“India needs to have standard Test centres,” he said. “When we tour South Africa, when was the last time they scheduled a Test in Port Elizabeth? That’s because the ball spins there, and South Africa don’t want India to have any kind of advantage. Apart from Centurion and the Wanderers, India rarely get to play anywhere else in South Africa. Yes, there was one recent Test in Durban, but we haven’t played there again since losing a match at that venue.”
India played in Ahmedabad and Delhi against the West Indies in the recently concluded Test series, and they are set to play South Africa in Guwahati and Kolkata in the coming month. In India, there are no fixed venues for hosting Test matches. However, when India tour Australia or England, there are certain grounds where they consistently play Test series.
In Australia, India mostly play in Melbourne (MCG), Sydney (SCG), and Brisbane (the Gabba), among others. In England, they typically play at Lord’s, The Oval, Leeds, etc.
Ashwin said that India should also adopt this model.
“Should we have standard Test centres? They already exist in countries like Australia, England, and South Africa. These nations consistently use the same venues for Test cricket. In India, however, when you play across multiple Test centres, it doesn’t always feel like a home game for India,” he added.
India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, Ashwin also believes that because India don’t regularly play at the same grounds in Test cricket, it becomes difficult for them to assess the conditions of various venues.
“In Guwahati, when you play South Africa, maybe India will perform well and trouble South Africa,” he said. “But just because it’s part of the Indian map, it doesn’t automatically become a true home game for India. I see it as an away game for India within India. Because we haven’t played many Test matches at such venues, as the home team, we didn’t know what to expect. I’m speaking from that perspective.”
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