Shastri Pushes Two-Tier Test Cricket System

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has advocated for a two-tier Test cricket system with promotion and relegation to ensure the survival of the format. His comments follow a record-breaking attendance at the India-Australia Test match in Melbourne, which drew 373,691 spectators, highlighting the format's continued relevance when top teams compete. Shastri argues that the ICC should prioritize matches between top-ranked teams to maintain competitiveness and appeal, and stresses the importance of maintaining the five-day format for Test matches, citing the dramatic conclusion of the Melbourne Test as evidence. The idea of a two-tier system, previously proposed in 2016, was scrapped due to opposition from the BCCI, despite its potential to benefit Indian cricket. Shastri believes that without such a system, the quality and crowd appeal of Test cricket would suffer.