'Time for cricket to explore a 2-tier Test match structure' - Deep Dasgupta reckons a new methodology to revive Test cricket

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta has come up with a new structure for Test cricket in a bid to revive the purest format of the game. Suggesting that dividing the 12 Test-playing nations into two ranks, a new 2-tier structure should be introduced, which will eventually make bilateral Test cricket more relevant and interesting.

With the mushrooming of short-format T20 leagues, many experts have been concerned about Test cricket losing its value amongst the masses. Moreover, one-sided contests like the recent Pakistan and Zimbabwe series, as per many experts, will only drive people away from the longest format of the game.

Notably, Ramiz Raja, former Pakistan cricketer, even went onto say that people will entirely switch to other sports if the Test series produce such results. On similar lines, Dasgupta commented that such uncompetitive battles will eventually Test cricket off the radar.

We need to revive Test cricket: Deep Dasgupta

“It’s time for cricket to explore a 2-tier Test match structure. Well, we are aware that we need to, kind of, revive Test match cricket and one of the things that are ailing the format is the fact that there are too many inconsequential bilateral series and too many one-sided series. I mean, Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, as well as Pakistan, played, we knew what the result was going to be right from the start,” Deep Dasgupta told ESPNcricinfo.

He further added that a chance of promotion for the second-tier team and the option of relegation for the first tier will add more excitement to the concept.

“So I think if you divide the 12 Test playing nations into two groups of six teams each, obviously there will be relegation and promotion involved in the 2 tiers, and you play 5 other teams home and away over 2.5-3 years. The idea is to make sure that every series is consequential, has some context to it and it’s competitive. I am not saying this is the only way of getting Test match cricket back on track but this could be one of the ways,” Deep Dasgupta added.

Agreeing with his Indian counterpart’s view, former cricketer and expert Aakash Chopra added: “Well Deep is always very ‘deep’ in his thinking and he’s right you don’t need inconsequential Test matches. The worst thing that can happen to Test cricket, because it’s played between 5 days is where you know the result even when the first ball is bowled irrespective of the toss.”

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