"Franchise Cricket Has Surpassed Test Cricket In Priority": Ex-India Star's Blunt Opinion

In the past decade or so, the franchise cricket has definitely impacted the international circuit with many players choosing to play the cash-rich tournaments rather than being on national duty. At times, players with a national team contract don't hesitate from leaving their side's game for playing in events like the Indian Premier League or the Big Bash League. Reacting to a user's query regarding the comparison between franchise cricket and Test cricket, former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad came out with a blunt reply.

The user asked the question as South Africa named seven uncapped players in their Test squad for New Zealand. More and more newcomers have been included in the squad as the senior players will be missing the series due to SA20 -- a T20 franchise cricket tournament in South Africa.

"What is your take on SA sending third grade teams to NZ tests? Have tests become luxury?" asked the user.

"Sets a very bad precedent. Sad that it has reached this state where Franchise cricket has surpassed Test cricket in priority . Hope this doesn't become the way forward," replied Prasad.

Sets a very bad precedent. Sad that it has reached this state where Franchise cricket has surpassed Test cricket in priority . Hope this doesn't become the way forward. https://t.co/6iy1ctQeBf

Only two of the players who were in South Africa's Test win over India on Thursday are in a 14-man squad for the two Tests in New Zealand in February.

Cricket South Africa on Saturday named a squad which includes a new captain in left-handed opening batsman Neil Brand.

Batsman Keegan Petersen and David Bedingham are the only players who were part of South Africa's innings win in the first Test against India in Centurion. Due to a ruling by Cricket