The Indian Test season is in full swing. After the 3-match Test series against New Zealand, the home fans are witnessing another high-profile series unravelling beautifully. The idea of holding an extended home season is a very well thought out plan. Apart from this, the decision to hold Test matches at new venues is a brilliant step taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The health of Test cricket is certainly a cause of worry for the administrators and the players alike. The low turnout at the venues is still a huge problem for the respective boards, and thus when a Test match is well attended, it is a cause for celebration.
In the era of frenetic T20 action, Test cricket still gets the utmost respect from the players and they believe that in order to leave their imprint on the game, they have to be successful in this longest format.
We take a look at 5 benefits of holding matches at the so-called non-traditional venues.
#1 Drawing crowds
The third Test match between India and New Zealand was held at Indore, and this was the city's debut as a Test nation. The frenzy around was something heartening for cricket fans all around the globe.
The Test was well attended and the sight of players dressed in white showcasing their skills in front of packed houses was a sight to behold. One of the biggest takeaways from this particular match was that smaller centres are more receptive to cricket as they do not get too many matches and hence want to soak up the opportunity to watch the good quality contest.
Rajkot, which hosted the first match of the ongoing India-England series too was witnessing its first ever Test match, but then the crowd turnout was poor. This was due to the fact that the Indian government had announced demonetisation and this move had a massive bearing on the actual crowd turnout.
The biggest advantage thus is that Test cricket will get a new lease of life if smaller venues are given the opportunity to host matches. The game is run by the fans, and hence the game should explore different ways of connecting with these fans.
#2 Growth of the game
Gone are the days when Indian cricket would be hogged by players from the metros. The current Indian team has many players from the non-conventional cities and this is an indication of the growth of the game.
If the matches are held at these centres, more young people would watch their heroes play in front of them and then accordingly pick up the game.
The selectors too would get plenty of options on their plate to choose from and this only augurs well for the National team. The game benefits as it seeps into unknown quarters and draws out the best talent.
#3 Expansion in the infrastructure
Despite the ongoing tussle between the BCCI and the Lodha Committee, there is no denying the fact that the Indian board is financially the most accomplished sporting authority in the world today.
Over the last decade, Indian cricket has seen a radical shift when it comes down to infrastructure. Thus, when the game is taken to smaller centres, the board can release funds to the respective state boards and this will have a bearing on the infrastructure of that respective state too.
For instance, the outfield at Vishakhapatnam has been hailed by one and all, and the lush green surface is a real sight to behold. This could only happen if you have the funds to improve the conditions of the field.
#4 Facilities off the field
One of the major concerns which bothered the authorities was the lack of facilities for the players off the field. These facilities included hotels, airports, etc.
However, if the smaller associations know that they are in the fray of holding matches, these arrangements can be made and this would only help in the growth of the place at large.
Since Cricket sells in India, the respective State governments would be more keen to step in and make their presence felt when it comes down to building facilities around the stadium as this will be a great advert of the place, and no Government would ever want to do away with some positive PR.
#5 Novelty factor
Test cricket is the pinnacle, and there is a certain sense of novelty attached to the format. Hence, if the 'smaller' venues get to host the game, there will be a sense of novelty factor in and around the association.
Ideas work when they are disruptive, and by moving on from the set pattern, a very positive signal would be sent out, and this would help the game immensely.
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