'T20 Becoming Business, But Test Cricket Is Still The Pinnacle': Ben Stokes

23.08.2022 - 06:07 sports.ndtv.com

England Test captain Ben Stokes is one of the best all-rounders in modern-day cricket, however, recognising his heavy workload, the star player had announced his retirement from ODI cricket earlier this year.

He played his last ODI against South Africa at his home turf in Durham. Ever his decision to retire from ODI cricket was made public, the debate has started regarding the cricket calendar and how to manage the workload of cricketers so that they play maximum games for their country.

With the emergence of various T20 leagues across the world, bilateral cricket faces the real task to keep itself relevant. The left-handed batter Stokes has said that T20 cricket is now sort of becoming a "business", but Test cricket will continue to be the pinnacle and his main job is to promote the longest format of the game.

Earlier, former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri had suggested that only 5-6 teams should play the longest format so that it remains competitive. "To a certain extent (whether he agrees with Shastri) but also no.

cricket Ben Stokes England Cricket Team Pinnacle Test Virat Kohli Team India Ravi Shastri South Africa India county Durham

Before storming back to form in the Asia Cup with two half-centuries and his maiden T20I century, Virat Kohli was going through a lengthy lean patch that saw him come under the scanner ahead of the 2022 T20 World Cup that begins next month. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly appeared in an episode of "The Ranveer Show" and was asked if he gave Kohli any advice during this time, but he said that he couldn't as he rarely gets to see the star batter.

"T20 Cricket Needs To Explore...": Ex-India Batter On Toss Playing Crucial Role in Asia Cup

The Asia Cup final will be played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium. India who were being touted as the favourites failed to make it to the final after winning just one game out of three while Afghanistan lost all of their Super 4 matches. However, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has now highlighted how toss played a big role in the tournament. He also highlighted that India lost tosses in their three Super 4 games while Afghanistan lost two.

This is crunch time for Rahul Dravid with T20, ODI World Cups coming up: Saba Karim

Rahul Dravid with two big events, T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup coming up in future. Since Dravid took over as the men's head coach after Ravi Shastri left the job, India got huge success in winning bilateral T20I series against New Zealand, West Indies (twice), Sri Lanka, England and drawing against South Africa. In the Asia Cup 2022, where India entered as defending champions, they won their group matches against Pakistan and Hong Kong.

Virat Kohli Fires T20 World Cup Warning After Long-Awaited Century

India's Virat Kohli says he was "pleasantly surprised" to get his long-awaited century in the short format as he targets more runs in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Kohli on Thursday scored his 71st international ton -- his first ever in a T20 for India -- after a gap of 1,020 days to help India end the Asia Cup with a crushing win over Afghanistan in Dubai. India's campaign in the tournament ended early after they lost their first two Super 4 matches to Pakistan and Sri Lanka -- the teams that made Sunday's final with two wins each.

Virat Kohli fires T20 World Cup warning after long-awaited ton

Virat Kohli says he was "pleasantly surprised" to get his long-awaited century in the short format as he targets more runs in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup. Kohli on Thursday scored his 71st international ton -- his first ever in a T20 for India -- after a gap of 1,020 days to help India end the Asia Cup with a crushing win over Afghanistan in Dubai.

'Do you want me to sit out?': KL Rahul's counter-query when asked if Virat Kohli should open in T20Is

Virat Kohli, who struck his maiden T20I century during Asia Cup match against Afghanistan, should continue to bat as an opener going into World Cup alongside Rohit Sharma. With Rohit Shama opting out of inconsequential contest against Afghanistan, Kohli opened the batting with Rahul. The question was loaded because if Kohli opens the batting, it would mean that Rahul, whose T20 batting approach is already under the scanner, would have to sit out. "Toh kya mai khud baith jaun? (So then should I sit out?)," a perplexed Rahul, obviously not one bit amused, counter-questioned. The Indian vice-captain firmly believes that Kohli is not dependent on opening slot to get a huge score.