Virat Kohli feels Test cricket needs to be more prominent

After a historic victory over Bangladesh in India's first-ever day/night Test, Virat Kohli depicted how Test cricket needs to get publicized like T20Is and ODIs to connect fans along with the long-established format. Around 50,000 fans from the 'city of joy' Kolkata embraced the pink-ball Test with open arms, as India went on to win the match by an innings and 46 runs.

Kohli opened up about the challenges that arrive in regards to the marketing of a Test match. The 31-year-old said:

"I think it's very, very crucial to market Test cricket like we do for ODIs and T20Is. It's not only the job of the players but it spreads out to the management the cricket Board and the home broadcasters about how you portray a particular product to the people."

"If you create an excitement only around the T20 cricket and not much around Test cricket then in the psyche of the fans there's already a certain template that's established."

Kohli suggested how the current fans could connect with the traditional format of the game if marketed properly.

" Ithink if there's enough buzz created around Test cricket then there will be a lot more keenness to come to the stadium. Like you have in venues abroad, there's something or the other happening, maybe a play area for games. Maybe schoolchildren could interact with Team India players during lunch."

"I think all these things will really bring that strength into Test cricket and people would want to come in and have an experience of a Test match. It should be an event where you come and experience cricket, not just sit there and watch in you know, hot conditions. So I think there has to be more for the fan. I totally agree with that and has to be marketed well."

While there were a lot of questions regarding how the pink ball would come in play, skipper Virat Kohli had a delightful time with the bat. He became the first Indian batsman to score a century in a day/night Test, scoring 136 runs off 194 balls with 18 fours in his innings. Kohli revealed his conversation with Sachin Tendulkar on how he could adapt the day/night situation with the pink ball.

"He made a very interesting point that with the pink ball, you'll have to treat the second session like your morning session when it is getting darker and the ball starts to swing and seam. So the first session you invariably play like you play from lunch to tea in a normal timing Test match and then the second session would be like a morning session and the last session is like that evening session."

"So your planning changes, your declaration timing, everything changes. As a batsman, your setup changes. Even if you're set and batting well, as soon as it gets dark and the lights are on, you can be in trouble very quickly. Luckily I went in when the lights were on so I didn't have to go through the transition but I think that'll be another challenge in the future as well."

When questioned if India would accept an invitation for a day/night Test abroad by the Cricket Australia, Kohli quoted:

"I think a good practice game before that and enough time to prepare, we're open to doing anything. You can't just play it on a short notice, like I mentioned last time. If there's time to prepare we're open to take up Test cricket in any manner. We'll be quite open to it I guess."

India registered their fourth consecutive win in Tests by an innings margin. This victory over Bangladesh was Virat Kohli's 33rd Test victory as captain.