[mac187]

I have a slightly different perspective on the latest debacle.

1. IPL did play a role in physical and mental fatigue. A 15 day break should be a must before a World Cup. But,

2. Selection was poor and execution was nauseating. The manner in which we lost to Pakistan hurts more than the loss itself.

3. Anarchic approach to T20. Indian team still plays it like ODI. Need to take a leaf out of English play book atleast in batting.

4. One captain and player across formats. I believe this is purely legacy mindset and power struggle within BCCI and the players. We should field one team for each format. This will reduce workload and fixture planning issues.

I feel BCCI gets short end of the stick compared to others. Before the 90's other boards wielded power to further their own agenda and now the balance of power has changed. The man with the muscle calls the shots, people should learn to get on with it. In the same breath if they are acting like dictators or mad men actively trying to destroy others then I would condemn them too. During trying times India has helped SL cricket, it had supported BCB in the early stages too. One cannot expect India to play a series with Scotland or Namibia when ICC and BCCI will clearly make more money with a Ind vs Eng or Ind vs Aus tour.

Coming to the greed about wanting more money, I feel this is a very Indian concept of terming a company or person who is making more money greedy. If you are truly accepting capitalism, then there is nothing wrong with what BCCI is doing. They bring the eyeballs hence they demand higher share in revenues from ICC. IPL makes billions for them, which is helping them pay better wages to ground level staff and administrators and invest in junior cricket. I had read somewhere that Ranji players get paid in lakhs for a season and can make a living with cricket without getting into national or IPL squads. Compared to previous era players who had to relay on corporate houses or PUS jobs for a steady income. Surely, there a aspects where they can improve themselves, but nothing is perfect. Is it?

Sorry for the rant. I wanted to limit my post with the first four points then lost the plot.

[redCherry]

Originally Posted by landcruiser123

As a result it is a vicious cycle: Nobody has time -> Quality of Test cricket is on the decline -> T20 cricket is prioritized to make big $$$ -> Budding cricketers are building skills for T20 -> Cricket eventually becomes this daily circus
.

This is what I am fearing will happen...T20's gain will be Test cricket's loss.
With this mindset, no emerging cricketer wants to be a Dravid, Laxman or Root, everyone wants to be a Pandya, Pollard, Butler

Eventually batting in cricket will resemble more like Baseball

[PPS]

India never deserved to be in Semi-Finals, so its a good thing they'll get a chance to be home early. I hope the selectors look at resting players like Rohit,Virat,Pant,Shami,Bumrah & Co. for a month! Rahane notwithstanding his poor batting form is more than efficient to lead the team for 2 Tests against NZ.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Why do we play cricket all year round now like a circus. When I was a kid cricket had a season but now it is a 24x7x365 show. Why so.

I too remember there used to be an off-season usually in the month of May-June when no cricket used to be played. This was 15+ yrs ago though!

[harry10]

Originally Posted by mac187

I have a slightly different perspective on the latest debacle.

1. IPL did play a role in physical and mental fatigue. A 15 day break should be a must before a World Cup. But,

2. Selection was poor and execution was nauseating. The manner in which we lost to Pakistan hurts more than the loss itself.

3. Anarchic approach to T20. Indian team still plays it like ODI. Need to take a leaf out of English play book atleast in batting.

4. One captain and player across formats. I believe this is purely legacy mindset and power struggle within BCCI and the players. We should field one team for each format. This will reduce workload and fixture planning issues.

Sorry for the rant. I wanted to limit my post with the first four points then lost the plot.

All valid points.
I believe different captain for different format is already happening. We will get Rohit or Rahul ( I believe it will be Rohit) in T20 captaincy for couple of years. Kohli will keep test and ODI for now but I see him leaving ODI captaincy too soon.

England have Morgan for white ball and Root for red ball.

Australia have Finch for white ball and Paine for red ball.

That has worked quite well for them. So, I hope it works for us too. And we need specialist players for each format. A test player not necessarily will be a good white ball player and vice versa. It's time to identify and assign roles.

Originally Posted by redCherry

This is what I am fearing will happen...T20's gain will be Test cricket's loss.
With this mindset, no emerging cricketer wants to be a Dravid, Laxman or Root, everyone wants to be a Pandya, Pollard, Butler

Eventually batting in cricket will resemble more like Baseball

For next 5 years I don't see tests declining.
Primarily because all top voices like Kohli, Williamson, Root and Smith are big advocate of Test matches and we have seen during BG series or Ashes people do come and watch them.

As for players we will get players for all formats. For every KL Rahul there is a Pujara somewhere. Unlike white ball getting into a test team is extremely difficult. Also, most young cricketers know they may never play for India due to so much competition. So, to make a life they are happy even if they get an IPL contract.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by redCherry

.T20's gain will be Test cricket's loss

I don't agree. In fact, it is the other way round. Test cricket needs T20 to survive.

If you look at the financials of running the game, it is quite evident that T20 is funding test cricket. Without the T20 money, and with interest in test cricket waning even before T20s came into the picture, test cricket would have been dead.

It is because of IPL and BBL that we could enjoy India beating Australia in Australia twice consecutively.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by harry10

All valid points.
I believe different captain for different format is already happening. We will get Rohit or Rahul ( I believe it will be Rohit) in T20 captaincy for couple of years

My wild card would be giving the captaincy and debut together to Ruturaj Gaikwad. I watched him play for Maharashtra in the recent on going Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His batting form is at another level and he seems to be an astute captain as well. He will have Dhoni to learn from and he is young so can be groomed for a longer period.

However I dont see BCCI doing what SA did with G Smith or Zimbabwe doing with Taibu. We are not yet that aggressive and rely on traditional methods to work.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by harry10

I believe we can't blame BCCI alone. Players are equally responsible.
...
An average cricketer has a playing life span of 10-15 years max.

This is a vicious cycle and will continue. Which Indian player will now voluntarily ask for a break for mental/physical rest OR put his foot down if forced by BCCI ? Maybe on a selective basis against lower ranked teams they can skip a series or two but that's about it.

We have a long line of players waiting in the wings to make their mark in international cricket, so players will be scared of losing their place, except maybe a Virat, Rohit or Bumrah.

The whole workload management needs to be done holistically with BCCI and the players participating in decision making, which seems highly unlikely.

I will appreciate England and Australia on this, both their boards and players take such calls when needed and avoid getting burnt out.

[Oxy]

So Kohli has now completed the grand slam of ICC event chokes in his captaincy:

1. Champions Trophy 2017
2. ODI World Cup 2019
3. World Test Championship 2021
4. World T20 2021

Glad he has stepped down as the T20 captain. He needs to be stripped off the ODI captaincy too, failing which the 2023 ODI World Cup is a disaster waiting to happen in front of our home crowds.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by NPV

players will be scared of losing their place, except maybe a Virat, Rohit or Bumrah.

The only player to have that unenviable luxury was Sachin Tendulkar. I don't think any Indian player got such privileges in their career.

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by Eddy

I don't agree. In fact, it is the other way round. Test cricket needs T20 to survive.

Honestly it's time to dissolve the ODI setup altogether, it is the orphan child right now. No one wants to see it anymore, it is borderline boring with majority of the results predictable.

ICC should put onus on T20 and Test with ODI gone for good, I for one won't miss it, and I hardly watch it anyway.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by AtheK

Honestly it's time to dissolve the ODI setup altogether, it is the orphan child right now. No one wants to see it anymore, it is borderline boring with majority of the results predictable.

Well, if you go by the same logic, we shouldn't play T20I as well!
Right now in the ongoing T20 World Cup, isn't it the same ? predictable results based on toss and decision to bat or field first!

[ValarMorghulis]

Originally Posted by AtheK

Honestly it's time to dissolve the ODI setup altogether, it is the orphan child right now. No one wants to see it anymore, it is borderline boring with majority of the results predictable.
.

If India wins ODI WC 2024, trust me EVERYONE will watch it and it'll grow only popular.

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by NPV

Well, if you go by the same logic, we shouldn't play T20I as well!
Right now in the ongoing T20 World Cup, isn't it the same ? predictable results based on toss and decision to bat or field first!

Well in second half many teams won defending as well, SA bowled really well to limit table toppers England in last over. The fun of T20I added to the short run time is different. ODI you don't even finish one innings by the time T20I is done and dusted.

Originally Posted by ValarMorghulis

If India wins ODI WC 2024, trust me EVERYONE will watch it and it'll grow only popular.

Ha Ha the money will keep talking and players will keep getting burnt, again it will be be popular in few countries, the usual suspects. Three format of same game are seriously an Overkill.

[DigitalOne]

Originally Posted by AtheK

Honestly it's time to dissolve the ODI setup altogether, it is the orphan child right now. No one wants to see it anymore, it is borderline boring with majority of the results predictable.

ICC should put onus on T20 and Test with ODI gone for good, I for one won't miss it, and I hardly watch it anyway.

+1. T20 is entertainment and the masses lap it up. Tests are for connoisseurs. ODIs are nobody's baby right now.

Originally Posted by ValarMorghulis

If India wins ODI WC 2024, trust me EVERYONE will watch it and it'll grow only popular.

Don't think so. Even if India wins ODI WC, it will be only as popular as weight-lifting, shooting, or archery - we will watch it once every four years.

ps - No offence meant against players of these sports; just an observation.

[ValarMorghulis]

What I feel is: The longer a game, the better are the chances of talent and skill coming up on top than pure luck.
In a Test: You can win a session or two based on luck, but you need pure talent and skill to win a test match.

In an ODI: You can win a powerplay or two based on luck, but you need pure talent and skill to win an ODI.

In a T20: You can win purely on luck and the opposition having an off day.

Hence the popularity, IMO.