Virat Kohli backs the idea of having five strong Test centres for the home season

India whitewashed South Africa with utter dominance in the three-match Test series. It also strengthened their position in the Test Championship at the top of the table. However, despite the dominant performance, the sparse crowd for the matches was the talking point during the whole series. And the Indian skipper Virat Kohli has now backed the idea of having five strong Test centres during the home season.

Australia, England and to an extent, South Africa also follow the template of playing the Test matches at certain venue during their summer. Rather, Cricket Australia (CA) always schedule their traditional Boxing Day and New Year Test in Melbourne and Sydney. The tradition is being followed for a long time now.

England also play their home Tests at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval. All the marquee Test matches are played at these venues every summer and Virat Kohli has endorsed a similar idea now.

It can’t be sporadic, says Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli wants the BCCI to keep the rotation policy away for the Test matches and decide upon five strong Test centres where they will play every year. During all the home seasons until now, India have played at different venues every time and there has been no consistency in the venues.

The Indian skipper wants this to change right away and set the pattern that the visiting teams will be aware that they will be playing Tests at certain venues during their tour. He also felt that the crowd will start visiting the stadiums if Test cricket consistently takes place at a particular venue.

“In my opinion, we should have 5 strong Test centres. In Test cricket, teams coming into India should know that they are going to play at these five centres, these are the pitches and crowds to expect. It can’t be sporadic and spread over so many places,” Virat Kohli said in the post-match press conference.

India’s home season continues now with Bangladesh set to visit the country for three T20 Internationals and two Test matches. The T20I series will commence on November 3 in Delhi.

[interaction id=”5dad6d3f92354819d5174aa2″]