Virat Kohli’s advocacy of Test cricket great for future: David Gower

In modern-day cricket, there is a growing debate about how Test cricket will survive in a period when there are Twenty20 leagues flourishing all over the globe. The club vs country debate among international players often makes news. Several players have given up on their international careers to become Twenty20 mercenaries all over the world. In this atmosphere, there are certain sections of former cricketers and fans that vouch that Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game. Recently, one quote by Indian cricket team skipper Virat Kohli has given hope to one England cricket legend that Test cricket can flourish.

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Following India’s series loss to England, Kohli sat down for an interview with Wisden and said nothing beats the thrill of Test cricket. “If you really love the sport, you understand Test cricket and you understand how exciting it is. I cannot explain to you the job satisfaction that you get when you do well in Test cricket, because you know how demanding it is. It’s the most beautiful format of the game. I don’t think it’s going to go anywhere,” Kohli had remarked at that time.

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These comments from Kohli have given former England batsman David Gower a lot of reassurance. The left-hander, one of the most prolific run-getters for England in the 80s, believes Kohli;s endorsement is a great sign for the survival of Tests.

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“It is a reflection of the balance of power if Virat says that — you’ve got a lot of people who will listen,” said the 61-year-old, adding that the launch of next year’s World Test Championship will help in the popularity of Test cricket,” Gower said during the inaugural Ranji Memorial Public Conversation on Cricket in London.

Gower, who smashed 8231 runs in 117 Tests, believes a win for India in Australia will boost the popularity of the format even more and the introduction of a World Test Championship from next year will help provide greater context for matches. “We had a fantastic series against India, closer than the margin suggests,” Gower said.