Is Kohli interested in playing Day-Night Tests? Ganguly drops hint
India have remained the world champions in Test cricket, for quite some time now. However, when it comes to the viewership of the format, even in matches involving India, the ratings have taken a nosedive. While Day-Night Tests could be a solution, India have their doubts. Meanwhile, the new BCCI president Sourav Ganguly met with Indian captain Virat Kohli to discuss on the same.
Kohli agrees to play Day-Night Tests, no tentative date yet
Following a meeting on Thursday at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, Ganguly said that Kohli has agreed to play Day-Night Tests. They all believe it is the only way forward to draw more fans. However, no tentative date has been decided for the opening Test for India. Nonetheless, Ganguly confirmed that now that it has been agreed upon, it would be played soon.
"People should finish work and come to watch champions play"
"Kohli is agreeable to it. I see a lot of reports in newspapers that he is not, but that's not true. The game needs to go forward and that is the way forward. People should finish work and come to watch champions play," said Ganguly.
Ganguly believes Day-Night Test is answer to everything
Following the third Test against South Africa this week, Kohli had said that India should limit their Test centers to five for better viewership. However, the other association members objected to it, citing that doing so would limit the expansion of the sport in the country. On the other hand, Ganguly said that the introduction of Day-Night Tests would solve several issues.
Ganguly believes people can't bunk work to watch cricket
"Who had thought that T20 cricket will be such a rage when it was first played? See, lifestyles have changed. No one can afford to bunk schools or offices to watch cricket. They need to be brought to the ground after day's work," concluded Ganguly.
Ganguly has always backed Day-Night Tests
Meanwhile, Ganguly has, over the years, expressed his backing for the Day-Night Tests, as he believes it the way forward for the format. "They [India] are a good side, they will win Day-Night Test matches also. There is no difference in Day-Night Test matches and day Tests. It's just a different ball. They are such class players, they can win," he had said.
India and Bangladesh yet to feature in Day-Night Tests
While 11 Day-Night Tests have been played so far, India and Bangladesh are the two teams to have not played the Test so far. Ganguly said that he had plans to make it happen during the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh. However, it is not sure yet as to if it would happen as Bangladesh would need to agree to it.
