‘We can make Test cricket work if we make it more of an event like Wimbledon’ - Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale suggests ways to save red-ball cricket

Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale has suggested that in order to save Test cricket, ICC should plan to host it once a year, at a particular time, between a small set of nations that can actually afford it. He also cited an example that just like Wimbledon (Tennis), Test cricket should feel like a marquee event, otherwise, the fans will lose interest in the long run.

Badale also mentioned that the cricket's apex governing council should think creatively about Test cricket and suggested changing a few things for the fans of the future. He gave the example of England red-ball skipper Ben Stokes as Stokes previously commented that he wants to save Test cricket but Badale believes that rules should be fan-friendly and not otherwise.

“We can make Test cricket work if we make it more of an event. We should have it at the same time every year, played between a small set of nations that can actually afford it and Lord's becomes like a Wimbledon, an event that is the diary.

“The amount of times I hear arguments like 'Ben Stokes wants to play Test cricket' - that is important but what is really important is what the fans of the future want to watch and where are they going to spend their hard-earned money. We are going to have to think creatively about Test cricket if we want it to work,” Badale told in the Tailenders podcast.

I would be more worried about the ODI game right now: Badale

The 55-year-old also believes that there are too many formats in the cricketing world at the moment and he is worried about the future of ODI cricket as well. He also mentioned that Test cricket is his favourite format and he hasn’t missed the first day at Lord’s for any match in many years.

“There are too many formats. I would be more worried about the ODI game right now. It is difficult one for me because Test cricket is what you grow up on as a fan and I haven't missed the first day at Lord's for however many years, it is still my preferred format. But it is not about me, it is about what the 10-15-year-olds in India and across the world are thinking,” Badale mentioned.