There should be room for both Test and limited overs cricket: Farokh Engineer

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer believes that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the envy of the world but Test cricket cannot be abandoned for the sake of franchise league cricket.

While countries such as India, England, and Australia are thoroughly committed to Test cricket, players from smaller countries choose franchise leagues over the longest format of the game because of the monetary benefit. He stated that the World Test Championship serves as a demonstration to the rest of the world that Test cricket can be just as exciting as limited-overs cricket.

"Test cricket being in danger is not a good thing. It is good that the game is prospering all over the world through T20 leagues but Test cricket should never be sacrificed.

"That is why the World Test Championship is a showcase to the world that Test cricket can be just as interesting as limited overs cricket," Engineer said as quoted by My Khel. 

Engineer, who has travelled to London to watch the WTC final between India and Australia said that this is a game of chess depending on the conditions, adding that it is the pitch that favours the batters mostly. 

"It is a game of chess depending on the conditions. It is the ultimate test for batters. There should be room for both Test and limited overs cricket," he added.

The 85-year-old went on to say that India have been great in Test cricket as well as in limited-overs cricket. He further stated that Indian cricket holds the strings, which makes him really happy.

"India have taken a lead in Test cricket and in limited overs cricket we have IPL which is the envy of the world. Indian cricket holds the strings and that makes me hugely delighted," he said.

The second edition of the WTC final is already underway at The Oval in London, where India won their first-ever Test match in England in 1971. Notably, Engineer had provided a significant contribution to that historic victory with a 59-run knock in the first innings.