Having just a few Test centres certainly helps players: Ravichandran Ashwin

Team India managed to snatch a victory from Bangladesh in the recently concluded second Test in Kanpur. The clash was mostly interrupted by rain. After 35 overs of play on Day 1, rain played spoilsport. Furthermore, Days 2 and 3 were abandoned due to rain and wet outfield. 

It was on Days 4 and 5 where India managed to snatch a win by putting in an aggressive showing against Bangladesh. The wet outfield and subpar drainage system at the Green Park in Kanpur have been deemed responsible for the time that both sides lost throughout the second Test. 

Veteran India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin was asked about the same in a recent interview. Seeing the condition of the venue in Kanpur, many came forward and discussed whether Test cricket in India should be limited to some places, and Ashwin had his say on the topic. 

Also Read: Ashwin makes startling revelation, India considered forfeiting an inning during Kanpur Test

“By having so many Test centres is you have got cricketers who come and play Test cricket from every nook and corner of this country. It is a huge country and it has triggered that sort of urgency and that sort of passion amongst cricketers to be able to come and play for this country. That is a big positive,” Ashwin was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. 

“The second of it is there are certain requisite ingredients that go into making a Test match happen. Like for the weather and the kind of drainage that we need to be able to invest in. These are no-brainers,” he added.

Furthermore, Ashwin took the comparison of England and Australia and how both countries use only specific places for Test cricket whenever team India tours them. 

“Does it help a player if you have just a few Test centres? Most certainly it does. Because when we go to Australia, they play India only at five Test centres. They don’t play us at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. They don’t play us at any of the other venues there. They won’t be very familiar with the conditions. So do England. They have certain select Test centres and that’s where they play. Some of those are only white ball centres,” Ashwin concluded.