Test cricket is facing a difficult era. With T20 competitions spreading across the world and capturing more attention, the shorter format is increasingly winning over the next generation of fans and players. That momentum has raised questions about the long-term health of 50-over cricket, while the five-day game continues to struggle to maintain its place at the top of the sport. In India, the pressure is even more intense—especially as major stars from the modern era, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have moved on from the game’s highest level, leaving the traditional format with a noticeable dip in pull.
To counter this decline, the BCCI has introduced a plan aimed at safeguarding the foundations of the sport. The board’s focus is on ensuring first-class cricket remains both relevant and financially worthwhile. By reshaping how red-ball players are paid, the BCCI is trying to make the pathway back to Test cricket more sustainable, so that the core structure supporting India’s longest-format success stays strong—even as the IPL and other T20 leagues continue to dominate headlines and schedules.
Ashwin points to a global incentive problem
Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes the difficulties confronting Test cricket are not limited to one country. Speaking on the wider picture, he argued that simply improving domestic arrangements may not be enough if the incentives for young players are still not attractive across the cricketing world. Ashwin also acknowledged the BCCI’s attempt to revive first-class cricket through a revised pay framework, but he questioned whether the broader global ecosystem is doing enough to turn red-ball cricket into a compelling career option in a period where T20 leagues are increasingly the default choice.
At the Cricinfo Honours Awards, Ashwin said, “First-class cricket needs to be attractive enough for players to take up. The BCCI has made an attempt by revamping the salary structure, but I don’t think Test cricket is just India’s problem, it is a global one. Are players being incentivised enough to take up the red-ball game?” His comments underline the view that the sport’s future depends not only on tradition, but also on clear and credible rewards for those who commit to the longer format.
Test cricket’s value, and why it’s hard to compete
Ashwin went on to explain the practical realities modern players face. He highlighted how easy it can be to earn well through shorter stints in the game, particularly when T20 leagues offer fast returns over shorter periods. Even so, he stressed that the emotional and sporting payoff of Test cricket remains unmatched. After experiencing the demands of the longest format firsthand and putting his body through its toughest tests, Ashwin said he believes nothing can replace the feeling that comes at the end of a gripping, hard-fought Test match.
He added, “That is a tough proposition when players can play for a couple of months and pretty much earn a good living. That said, having played Test cricket and put my body on the line, I can say that nothing compares to the feeling at the end of a hard-fought Test match. Nothing can replace it. And if you are serious about Test cricket, young cricketers should be groomed by slightly old-fashioned coaches,” bringing the argument back to both incentives and the importance of traditional preparation for the red-ball game.
