Test cricket cannot be tinkered too much, opines Virat Kohli

Indian skipper Virat Kohli voiced his opinion against International Cricket Council’s recent plans to tweak the traditional format of Tests and try out a four-day affair in the future. The apex body has shown inclination towards adopting the new format during the next FTP cycle between 2023-2031 to give more days to financially viable shorter formats of the game.

According to me, it should not be altered. As I said, the day-night is another step towards commercialising ICC Test cricket and you know, creating excitement around it, but it can't be tinkered with too much. I don't believe so," said Virat Kohli as reported by The Times of India.

Stressing on the fact, the right hander admitted that a trim in the traditional format might hamper its future and there will be a time when everyone might think of a three-day format.

Then you are purely only talking about getting numbers, entertainment and you know. I think the intent will not be right then because then you will speak of three-day Tests. I mean where do you end. Then you will speak of Test cricket disappearing," added Kohli.

The England and Wales Cricket Board had previously advocated the idea of four-day Tests in the future, but Kohli feels that Day-Night Tests is the most that should be changed about cricket, adding that it’s unfair to tamper the purest form of the game.

"So I don't endorse that at all. I don't think that is fair to the purest format of the game. How cricket started initially, and you know five-day Tests was the highest of tests you can have at the international level,” opined Virat Kohli.