"We Need To Protect It": Rohit Sharma's Blunt Take On Future Of Test Cricket

03.01.2024 - 04:36 sports.ndtv.com

Indian captain Rohit Sharma feels that it is each and every ICC member's duty to protect the sanctity of Test cricket as it remains the ultimate format.

Cricket South Africa selected seven uncapped players, including an inexperienced first timer Neil Brand, for the upcoming tour of New Zealand to accommodate top stars for the cash-rich SA20, which is coinciding with the Test series.

All the SA20 franchises are owned by IPL team owners and the move to prioritize franchise cricket has earned widespread criticism. “For me, Test remains ultimate challenge and we would like to see best players playing that format but everyone has own problems to deal with and make sure there is a reason behind it,” Rohit reacted when asked about the CSA move.

But he was clear that he always wants top players to play Tests. “I don't know what the reason is (for SA not picking senior players) and in Test cricket you want to see best players being available but like I said I don't know what internal discussions are in CSA but from my perspective, the priority should be given to Test cricket.

cricket South Africa Cricket Team India Cricket Team South Africa vs India Test on Rohit Sharma Prasidh Krishna South Africa New Zealand India

Team India is all set to face England in the upcoming five-match Test series. The first Test will kick-start from January 25 in Hyderabad. Rohit Sharma and Co will be coming to this series after registering a 3-0 clean sweep against Afghanistan in a T20I series. In this Test series, the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah will be returning to action, who earlier missed the T20Is against Afghanistan. Ahead of the first Test, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar came up with some advice for skipper Rohit.

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