I understand that teams play to win, and that’s what matters in the end. For example, no one remembers that the pitch in Sydney in January 2025 was an atrocious one. Few recall that the match in Cape Town in January 2024 finished in two days. All one remembers is that Australia won at the SCG to take the series 3-1, and India beat South Africa at Newlands after bowling them out for 55 in the first innings. The SCG wicket did raise a few eyebrows, while the Newlands pitch was rated unsatisfactory. However, that has not deterred teams from opting for pitches of their choice, which have reduced five-day Test matches to three-day affairs.
I don’t have an issue with home advantage. That’s what makes Test cricket what it is. I don’t have an issue with turners either. Or green tops. But I do have a serious issue with Test matches getting over in two-and-a-half days.
Take the Eden Gardens crowd. It was over 36,000 on day one, and nearly 42,000 on day two. They cheered for every ball and backed every good shot or delivery. I expect another strong turnout today with India poised to win. But then, the crowd deserves more. They would have come to the ground yet again on day 4. They would make the game that much more memorable if given the opportunity. The recent India-England Test series was what it was because every game went into day 5. At least, a match should reach the fourth day. That’s what has sustained the sport for nearly 150 years, and it shouldn’t be tampered with.
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Come what may, we need to strike a balance – between the urge to win matches, and making sure that Tests don’t end in two days. Curators around the world need to be empowered to have their say if they are put under pressure, and the ICC should step in to ensure that teams know that Test matches which last less than three days will be counted against them.
Whatever the case, you can’t deprive the fan. They are the lifeblood of the sport and help sustain it. Eden Gardens would have played host to another 45,000 people today had there been a full day’s play in prospect. That’s when it pains me to see matches get done in two-and-a-half days.
As far as the crowd is concerned, I want the fans to turn up in numbers. So what if it’s two sessions? I remember people doing so in 1993 against England, when just an hour of cricket was left on the morning of the final day. And yet, Eden was full. We witnessed similar scenes at The Oval three months ago. Given that it could yet again be a while before a red-ball Test is played at Eden Gardens, it is imperative that fans make the most of it.
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