The recent Test series between India and New Zealand has reignited the debate over the duration of the longest format of cricket. With matches increasingly ending within three days, former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar believes it’s time to officially reduce Tests to four days.
Vengsarkar argues that the financial burden on weaker ICC members is a significant factor. He points out that teams like the West Indies struggle to afford travel and expenses for five-day Tests. Additionally, he believes it’s unfair to sell tickets for five days when matches are often over in three.
The advent of DRS has also contributed to the shorter duration of Tests. Marginal decisions now favor bowlers, making it more challenging for batters to survive. The post-T20 era has also seen a decline in batting technique and temperament, as head coach Gautam Gambhir has noted.
Vengsarkar’s proposal has been echoed by other former players, including Michael Vaughan and Shane Warne. The ICC considered the idea of four-day Tests in 2018, but the MCC, the custodians of cricket laws, ultimately decided to maintain the five-day format.
However, the MCC did acknowledge some benefits of four-day Tests. In recent years, there have been a few sanctioned four-day Tests, including England vs. Ireland in 2023 and South Africa vs. Zimbabwe. In India, Ranji Trophy matches are played over four days.
Another aspect of the Mumbai Test was the enthusiastic crowd attendance. Vengsarkar suggests that the BCCI should schedule Tests only in major cities and metros, while awarding white-ball matches to smaller centers. He believes that Test cricket should be concentrated in venues like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
