"Why shouldn't Test matches be reduced to 4 days?" - Aakash Chopra urges a change amid 2025 WTC final

Amid the ongoing 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final, former India player Aakash Chopra has questioned why Test matches shouldn't be reduced to four-day affairs. He pointed out that the WTC final is also unlikely to go to the fifth day.

Australia were bundled out for 212 on Day 1 of the WTC final at Lord's on Wednesday, June 11. South Africa were then reduced to 43/4 by Stumps, with the match seemingly headed to an early finish.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener wondered why Test matches shouldn't be played over four days.

"I have a question. Should Test matches be reduced to four days? I don't think this Test match will last five days. So why shouldn't Test matches be reduced to four days? I will share some numbers with you," he said.

Chopra pointed out that most Tests end within four days, with only an odd game going into the fifth day.

"The matches usually end in three to three-and-a-half days. That is also not my biggest point because the matches that go into the fifth day are thriller types. However, they are two or maybe three in a year, and the entire Twitter (X) verse gets excited on that day, saying that's why the matches should be played over five days," he elaborated.

The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted that proliferating franchise leagues have reduced the number of days available for Test cricket.

"You have limited days in a year, and every country needs its T20 league. We say that no cricket should be on when our IPL is being played. When you have so many leagues, where will you get the days from?" Chopra observed.

Aakash Chopra noted that a day gets freed up when Tests are scheduled for four days. He added that the extra day that gets created can be added to the cricketing calendar.

---

"You might play a 3rd Test" - Aakash Chopra on a positive repercussion of playing 4-day Tests

Bangladesh and South Africa played only 12 Tests apiece in their respective six series in the 2023-25 WTC cycle. [P/C: GEtty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that four-day Tests might allow countries like Bangladesh to play three-match series.

"If you see the last six-year cycle, from 2019 to 2025, it's been three WTC cycles, Bangladesh have never played a three-match Test series. It's because those many days are not there. You say you cannot devote more than 10 days. However, you might play a third Test if it's a four-day Test match because it takes only 12 days," he said.

The analyst added that teams other than England, Australia and India rarely play even a three-match Test series.

"Barring England, Australia and India, no team plays a four-match Test series. South Africa, who are playing the final at the moment, have played just one four-match Test series in the last four years. New Zealand have played only four series of three Test matches, and the other 12 were two-match series," Chopra observed.

To conclude, Aakash Chopra reckoned that Test matches can be extended to seven hours per day, with 105 overs to be bowled in a day. He added that such a move will allow enough overs to get a result within four days.