Cricket

The recent Test series between India and New Zealand has reignited the debate over the duration of the longest format of cricket. With matches increasingly ending within three days, former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar believes it's time to officially reduce Tests to four days.Vengsarkar argues that the financial burden on weaker ICC members is a significant factor. He points out that teams like the West Indies struggle to afford travel and expenses for five-day Tests. Additionally, he believes it's unfair to sell tickets for five days when matches are often over in three.The advent of DRS has also contributed to the shorter duration of Tests. Marginal decisions now favor bowlers, making it more challenging for batters to survive. The post-T20 era has also seen a decline in batting technique and temperament, as head coach Gautam Gambhir has noted.Vengsarkar's proposal has been echoed by other former players, including Michael Vaughan and Shane Warne. The ICC considered the idea of four-day Tests in 2018, but the MCC, the custodians of cricket laws, ultimately decided to maintain the five-day format.However, the MCC did acknowledge some benefits of four-day Tests. In recent years, there have been a few sanctioned four-day Tests, including England vs. Ireland in 2023 and South Africa vs. Zimbabwe. In India, Ranji Trophy matches are played over four days.Another aspect of the Mumbai Test was the enthusiastic crowd attendance. Vengsarkar suggests that the BCCI should schedule Tests only in major cities and metros, while awarding white-ball matches to smaller centers. He believes that Test cricket should be concentrated in venues like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

Shikhar Dhawan's remarkable cricketing journey owes a significant debt to the astute judgment of two Mumbai stalwarts: Dilip Vengsarkar and Sandeep Patil. Their unwavering belief in Dhawan's talent paved the way for his meteoric rise in Indian cricket.In 2004, Vengsarkar, then chairman of the BCCI's Talent Research Development Wing, played a pivotal role in Dhawan's selection for the Under-19 World Cup. Despite Dhawan's initial omission due to poor performances in trial matches, Vengsarkar's insistence on his inclusion proved to be a masterstroke. Dhawan emerged as the tournament's highest run-getter, showcasing his exceptional talent.Years later, in 2013, Patil, as chief national selector, made the bold decision to select Dhawan for the third Test against Australia in Mohali. Replacing the legendary Virender Sehwag, Dhawan seized the opportunity with both hands, smashing a magnificent 187 on debut. His 85-ball century remains the fastest by any batter on Test debut.Patil's unwavering support for Dhawan, despite opposition from his fellow selectors, underscores his keen eye for talent. "Getting the right opportunity at the right time is extremely important," Patil said. "Shikhar had just returned from India A's South African tour after scoring a double century and a century there. He proved my decision right. He saved me!"Dhawan's success is a testament to the importance of mentors and selectors who recognize and nurture young talent. Vengsarkar and Patil's foresight and unwavering belief in Dhawan's abilities have played a significant role in shaping his illustrious career.

Former BCCI chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar believes India possesses one of the strongest teams heading into the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Despite the absence of key players like KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rinku Singh, Vengsarkar expressed confidence in the team's capabilities."The current Indian team is one of the best in the world," Vengsarkar stated. "If you could include Gill, Rahul, or Rinku Singh, it would be an even stronger team. I wish them all the success because they are among the best in the world right now."Vengsarkar acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the T20 format, emphasizing that any player can emerge as a match-winner on any given day. "It's difficult to say who the key players are in this format," he said. "Everybody is important. The first six overs are crucial, but anything can happen in this format."India is placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and co-hosts USA. Virat Kohli was absent from team training this week but is expected to join the squad before their warm-up match against Bangladesh on Saturday.Vengsarkar's comments highlight India's potential as they prepare for the T20 World Cup. The team boasts a balanced squad with experienced players and rising stars. While the absence of Rahul, Gill, and Singh may be a concern, Vengsarkar's confidence in the team's strength is a positive sign for Indian cricket fans.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batter, recently shared his journey to international stardom, highlighting the pivotal roles played by Dilip Vengsarkar and Suresh Raina.During the 2008 Emerging Players tournament in Australia, Kohli's career took a significant turn. Despite initial struggles, Raina's intervention as captain led to Kohli's promotion to the opening spot. This decision proved transformative, as Kohli scored a century and caught the attention of then-chief selector Vengsarkar.Vengsarkar's belief in Kohli's potential paved the way for his international debut in 2008. However, it was the 2009 Emerging Players tournament that solidified Kohli's place in the Indian team. He emerged as the tournament's top scorer, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess.Kohli also reflected on two major setbacks in his career: the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup and the IPL final. The loss in the World Cup left him emotionally drained, while the IPL final defeat was particularly agonizing given their dominant position in the chase.Despite these setbacks, 2016 marked Kohli's peak as a batsman. He amassed over 2,500 runs in international matches, including seven centuries and 13 fifties. In the T20 World Cup, he was named Player of the Tournament for his outstanding performance.Kohli's journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers, demonstrating the importance of perseverance, mentorship, and seizing opportunities. His unwavering determination and the support of key figures have shaped his remarkable career.

Former Indian cricket legend Dilip Vengsarkar has urged young aspiring cricketers to prioritize Test cricket, emphasizing its significance in establishing true cricketing honor. Vengsarkar believes that while T20 leagues offer fame and financial rewards, the traditional format of Test cricket remains the ultimate test of a player's skill and endurance.Vengsarkar, a member of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team, expressed concern that parents are often swayed by the allure of T20 leagues, neglecting the importance of red-ball cricket. He stressed that young players should focus on developing their skills in Test cricket, which would ultimately benefit them in all formats of the game."Parents are overawed with the success of IPL, its teams, and players," said Vengsarkar. "But the focus of young players should only be on red-ball cricket, which would also help them do well in other formats."Vengsarkar, who played a pivotal role in bringing Virat Kohli into the national team as chief selector, emphasized the equal importance of bowlers in all formats of the game. "Bowlers also have a big role to play not just in the IPL but also Test cricket," he said. "They can be match-winners. Try to play Test cricket for your country. If you are a good Test cricketer, you can play other formats of the game.""You will be rated only by what you have done for the country in Test cricket," Vengsarkar added. "IPL is a good format, it is good entertainment, and it also meets the finances, which is also very important, but Test match cricket is the ultimate."Cricket coach Jwala Singh, who has mentored young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Prithvi Shaw, echoed Vengsarkar's sentiments. He emphasized the crucial role of parents and coaches in nurturing young cricketers."When you play any sport, there are three pillars: the player, the parents, and the coach," said Singh. "It has to be a combined effort of all three, and that is what this book is about."Singh cautioned parents against being overly ambitious for their children, driven by the fame and financial rewards of T20 leagues. He advised them to focus on fostering their children's passion for the sport and providing them with the necessary support and guidance."If a child has passion (for the sport) and it continues for (a number of) years, that is how it will work out," he added.