Is Test cricket dying a slow death due to IPL?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has redefined cricket by bringing players from different countries to play under a single team. However, the downside is that IPL is responsible for shifting the loyalties of players from cricket to money. And the recent debacle in Down Under has raised a question, whether the shorter version of the game (T20) has robbed the romance of Test cricket. DNA finds out about the future of this gentleman’s game.

T-20 matches are show-off and players are lured by the money it offers
Yes, IPL is robbing the charm of Test cricket. This is evident in the last two Test matches that we lost in Australia. The upcoming players and youngsters have taken a liking to IPL and have lost the tact and fire to play the longer version of the game.

I would like to see a gully and a forward short-leg positioned than watch players on the ropes. I also feel that T-20 matches are not entertaining but a mere show-off, and young players are lured by the money it offers. If this trend continues, Test cricket will die a slow death.

The youngsters have forgotten the basics of this game due to IPL. I hope someone wakes up and helps anchor the sinking ship of Test cricket.

—Dilip Vengsarkar, former Indian cricketer, chairman of selection committee

We just can’t stop IPL or T-20 as they are equally popular formats
I feel the major problem of our Indian cricket team is that it lacks patience, especially the youngsters. Test cricket has a totally different format that requires high-level of fitness along with a lot
of patience.

However, those players who are born and brought up in ODI (One Day International) and T-20 era simply fail to deliver when it comes to patience. Only batting maestros like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman played well in Australia, while rest of the team treated Test match like T-20. Of course, this is the side effect of IPL. However, we should accept the fact that the game is changing and we just can’t stop IPL or T-20 as they are equally popular. What we can do is increase the number of Test matches, which will help the youngsters in building up their patience level.

—Niranjan Katke, software engineer

Too much of T-20 with limited overs is stunting growth of young players
The effect of IPL cannot be ignored. Test cricket is really a ‘test’ of how well you understand and execute the technique while playing a match. To play this kind of format, you also need a lot of patience.

Too much of T-20 with limited overs is stunting the growth and development of young players. People are actually losing interest in the game and it was evident from the empty stands during India vs England game at Wankhede stadium and the lacklustre response to the Champions Trophy.

If players keep performing poorly, people might turn their attention to other games. No doubt, our players are exceptionally talented. But lack of application of techniques and less focus on test cricket is creating problems for the Indian team.

—Mandar Joshi, IT professional

It is fun and exciting to watch T-20 as the game gets over fast
Test cricket can never be killed, but it is surely degrading. The BCCI and the teams should take up this matter and ensure to keep the game clean. This is one game that unites the whole country and if the standards are not maintained, it will lose its importance.

T-20 cricket is meant for the young and fast generation like us who love to end matters quickly. It is fun and exciting to watch T-20 as the game gets over fast but Test cricket has its own charm, which cannot be denied.

—Sucheta Sontakke, student

Each game has its own format, which helps to develop skill sets
Test cricket is a test of skills. I am sure that Test cricket won’t fade away. Each game like T-20 and ODIs have their own format, which help players to develop their skill sets. As for players not applying the basics of Test cricket, I completely disagree on this point. The players in the Indian cricket team are giving their best shot in Australia. There are some flaws, but we talk about it only when the team is not doing well. I am sure the shorter version of the game is not stealing the thunder of Test cricket.

—Shubhangi Kulkarni, former Indian cricketer