Sun Sep 29 13:16:21 UTC 2024: ## Test Cricket in India: Should We Limit Venues or Embrace the Variety?
**Kanpur, India:** The ongoing India-Bangladesh Test match in Kanpur has reignited a long-standing debate within Indian cricket: should the country limit its Test match venues to just five, mirroring the approach of Australia and England?
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik weighed in on the discussion, suggesting that while limiting venues to Tier 1 cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru could attract larger crowds, it might not necessarily translate to greater interest in Test cricket overall.
“The fact is, people are not watching Test cricket. Sometimes on TV, it doesn’t paint the right picture,” Karthik said, noting the declining viewership of the format.
Instead, he believes that hosting matches in non-metropolitan cities like Kanpur, which witnessed a large turnout for the recent India-Bangladesh Test, can generate greater enthusiasm among the local populace.
Karthik also highlighted the current rotation system in India, where matches are distributed among 34-36 state associations, ensuring a diverse range of venues. This system, he believes, has worked well for a long time and offers a chance for smaller cities to showcase their passion for Test cricket.
The discussion comes as India prepares to host New Zealand in a series featuring matches in Mumbai and Bengaluru, two of the most popular Test cricket destinations in the country.
However, with the recent Kanpur Test marred by rain and the growing concern over declining interest in Test cricket, the debate over India’s future strategy for the format is likely to continue.
First Piper 