5 venues that should be chosen as India's Test centres

Over the past few months, the ICC World Test Championship has generated an enormous amount of excitement and positive furore, with countless fans glued to their television, hoping for breath-taking action.

Consequently, a lot of interest has been garnered for a format that has often been looked down upon by fans lately, albeit strangely. Additionally, the advent of T20 cricket, coupled with the glitz and glamour it provides had led to several enthusiasts switching their format loyalty.

Thus, the inception of such a competition seems to be a boon for Test cricket, more so considering most teams are hell-bent upon establishing their supremacy in the inaugural edition.

However, for the above to provide the spectacle many are yearning, the ICC needs to ensure that an adequate balance is maintained between all those participating, whether it be the number of matches they play, the sides they play home and away or the pitches being provided.

Recently, after India drubbed South Africa 3-0 on the former’s home patch, Virat Kohli proposed a rather interesting idea, where he talked about each country having pre-decided venues so that visiting teams would be accorded the opportunity of planning better.

Inevitably, such an idea created a variety of opinions, with smaller centres in particular, voicing their discontent.

Yet, that hasn’t discouraged us from indulging in a bit of fantasy and chalking out five potential venues that India could favour, if the aforementioned vision was implemented.

Without further ado, here is a look at them.

Honourable Mention: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad

---

#5 Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

Over the years, the city of Nagpur has witnessed a few historic cricketing moments, including Chetan Sharma’s astonishing World Cup hat-trick against New Zealand in 1987, Sunil Gavaskar’s only ODI hundred in the same game and Sourav Ganguly’s farewell Test. Thus, the venue has rich past events to look back on.

More encouragingly though, the new VCA stadium has been akin to a fortress for the Indian side in the longest format. In 6 matches, Men in Blue have lost only once and that too came back in 2010, when Dale Steyn ripped through the hosts’ batting order.

Apart from that aberration, they’ve taken teams apart methodically, meaning that they’ve posted 4 victories and a solitary draw.

Additionally, the arena in Nagpur very rarely fails to attract a healthy crowd, regardless of the format. The cricketing circle in the city is quite ardent follower of the sport and invariably turns up, even when the side might be going through a trough.

Moreover, the pitch at the VCA Stadium is quite abrasive and conducive to spin, thereby playing into India’s hands. The likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja can exploit the turn on offer whereas Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav can use the rough surface to extract reverse swing.

Thus, if India were to opt for five specific venues for the ICC Test Championship, one reckons that Nagpur might not be too ludicrous an option.

Also see – World Test Championship Schedule

#4 M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru boasts one of the best atmospheres across the country and the boisterousness of the venue is perhaps unrivalled.

The home of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, the stadium usually provides a good cricketing wicket, thereby keeping all parties interested throughout the match. Consequently, such pitches would improve the game as a spectacle as the spectators would be on the edge of their seats for the duration of the encounter.

However, in the past, India haven’t enjoyed the best of fortunes in Tests at Bengaluru. The Men In Blue have played 23 games and possess a win percentage of only 35%. Hence, one could be inclined to look the other way when zeroing in on a venue that maximises the nation’s chances of victory.

Yet, the support the crowd brings to the table in addition to the wonderful turnout each time India plays, makes it a stadium that can’t be ignored.

After all, when the chips are down, the players usually search for inspiration from somewhere and in Bengaluru, they can breathe easy knowing that the fans will always be behind them.

#3 Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will always be etched in Indian cricketing folklore for providing the platform for India’s World Cup triumph in 2011. In front of a packed house, the hosts outplayed Sri Lanka to establish world dominance.

Moreover, it also acted as the ideal stage for Sachin Tendulkar to bow out of international cricket against the West Indies in 2013. Thus, it is a ground that is brimming with fond memories of yesteryear. And, that could be extremely useful as India look to script a new chapter in their fabled Test history.

As for the cricketing surface, it usually is pretty good for batting whereas the bowlers come into their own as the game progresses. In short, the Wankhede Stadium serves up a track that gives rise to a superlative contest where both sides possess an equal chance.

Additionally, the venue uses red soil to prepare its wickets, something that sets it apart from the other stadiums across the country, considering most use black soil. Hence, that could provide a bit of variation and help create a different challenge for visiting sides.

The Indians have fared quite well at the Wankhede too, having won 11 of the 25 Tests to be played there.

Hence, on paper, one reckons that one would be extremely naïve to not include the Wankhede Stadium as one of the five venues for the ICC Test Championship.

#2 Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Kolkata has been one of the major hubs of cricket in India and it has produced a string of impressive cricketers for the country, including current BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and speedster Mohammed Shami. Subsequently, it has hosted a ton of important games too, thereby highlighting that the stadium is accustomed to high-profile matches.

And, even though, the Indians enjoy a wretched record at the ground (boasting a win percentage of 29% in 41 Tests), there are several other positives to ensure that Eden Gardens remains one of the premier venues across the country.

The surface is quite sporting, meaning that there is an adequate balance between bat and ball. Though the track was guilty of providing a few slow-turners in the early part of the decade, it has been revamped significantly since being re-laid.

Thus, at the moment, it is arguably one of the best pitches for seam bowling in India, a prospect the Indians might not mind, in light of the wonderful pace battery at their disposal.

Most importantly though, the arena can house more than 65,000 cricket fanatics. Consequently, the crowd can get behind their team and create a humungous amount of noise, something that isn’t particularly music to away teams’ ears.

Thus, despite a poor historical record at the venue, India would be better served preferring the Eden Gardens over other competitors, especially for a tournament of the magnitude of the ICC World Test Championship.

#1 MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

In the past few years, the MA Chidambaram Stadium hasn’t quite gotten its share of international cricketing action. Several bureaucratic issues coupled with failed applications of fire safety clearances have meant that Chennai has frequently been overlooked.

However, with the stadium hosting all of Chennai Super Kings’ home fixtures in the 2019 IPL, it could come back into the reckoning, much to the joy of those based in the city.

The people of Chennai just love their cricket, irrespective of the format and they can be classified as one of the most passionate set of supporters, an aspect that could appeal to the top brass while deciding potential venues.

Moreover, the pitch would suit India quite well, considering its tendency to offer turn and be good for batting. Both scenarios would aid the side considerably, in light of the expert resources in its ranks.

In addition, India boast a competitive 44%-win ratio at the MA Chidambaran Stadium, having immersed themselves in 32 Test matches over the years.

Hence, despite the recent troubles that have engulfed the arena, the BCCI should probably ensure the MA Chidambaram Stadium is on the list when singling out places capable of holding an ICC Test Championship fixture.