‘As good as any format any where in the world' - Sourav Ganguly illustrates 'need behind playing and preserving' Test cricket

In the era of franchise cricket, Test matches have faced a lot of criticism and there were even talks of making them a four-day affair in order to sustain it. When former India skipper Virat Kohli was asked about the same, the 34-year-old completely dismissed the plan but still, when it comes to viewership, Test cricket has struggled to fetch numbers.

However, things are changing in recent times. England’s Bazball tactics have not only helped the team win against some of the top sides in the world but also managed to entertain the fans and thus, there’s a massive buzz regarding them at the moment.

Australia too have been top-notch in the last couple of years, winning the World Test Championship and thus, fans were eagerly waiting to see these two teams clash against one another in the Ashes 2023.

After a humiliating 4-0 defeat in the last edition of the marquee series, England were supposed to bounce back, especially after their new revolution. However, Australia surprised them and defeated them in the first two matches of the five-match series. England won the third one but most importantly, all the matches have been very close and any team could have gotten over the line. 

Seeing the brand of cricket being played between the two arch-rivals, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly is highly impressed and explained the importance of preserving Test cricket. He called the ongoing Ashes a breathtaking affair and lauded the longest format of the game.

“People keep questioning test cricket .. the last 4 test matches ..hope have shown everyone why we need to keep playing it and preserving at its best .. it’s been just absolutely breathtaking to watch .. as good as any format any where in the world,” Ganguly tweeted on Sunday, July 9.

People keep questioning test cricket .. the last 4 test matches ..hope have shown everyone why we need to keep playing it and preserving at its best .. it’s been just absolutely breathtaking to watch .. as good as any format any where in the world .. @ICC @bcci @MCC

— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) July 9, 2023

Notably, the fourth match of the historic rivalry will begin on July 19 at Old Trafford. England would be desperate to win and keep their hopes alive to win the urn after eight years, while Australia would be eyeing to get the job done in Manchester.