Under Virat Kohli India led the way in development of Test cricket, says Graeme Smith

cricket under former skipper Virat Kohli, according to South African legend Graeme Smith, who reckons only five or six countries may be playing the longest format in the coming years. Smith feels just a handful of nations are contributing to the development of Test cricket at the moment. "With Test cricket, it's just iconic nations or the big cricketing nations that are contributing to Test cricket at the moment," Smith said on 'Sky Sports' during day three of the first Test between South Africa and England.

The 41-year-old feels under Kohli India "really took Test cricket seriously." Kohli has been a flagbearer of the longest format of the game. He led India to the final of the maiden World Test Championships alongside several memorable Test wins. "I think it's fantastic especially under Virat Kohli that India really took Test cricket seriously.

They lead the way with that. "But as long as we've got competitive teams, you're not going to have 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 competitive teams. You might only be down to five or six nations that play Test cricket at this level," Smith added.

All six teams in the Cricket South Africa's new T20 league have been bought by IPL owners and Smith, who was recently appointed the commissioner of the league, welcomed the investment, which he feels the country's cricket board "desperately needed." "It's certainly going to be an investment into our game that South African cricket desperately needed," Smith said. "The pressures on nations like New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa to stay financially sustainable to keep up with England, India, and the world game to stay competitive is hugely important. "I don't think world cricket can afford South Africa or any one of the top nations to start