India, Australia, and England are in talks with ICC chair Jay Shah to introduce a two-tier structure in Test cricket. This proposed change, discussed after the success of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, aims to enhance competition among top teams. The BGT attracted 837,879 spectators, making it the most-watched non-Ashes Test series in Australia.
Shah plans to meet Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird and ECB chair Richard Thompson this month to discuss the plan, which would allow the “big three” to compete more frequently. If implemented post-2027, the system could limit opportunities for smaller nations like Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland, sparking concerns over their cricketing growth.
Support and Concerns About the Two-Tier System
Former India coach Ravi Shastri endorsed the two-tier format, stating that it would revitalize Test cricket by ensuring top teams face off more often.
“For Test cricket to thrive, the best must compete against the best,” Shastri remarked. He advocated for a promotion-relegation system involving 6–8 top teams, emphasizing that marquee matchups attract larger audiences. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) previously opposed similar reforms.
In 2016, then-BCCI president Anurag Thakur rejected a proposed Test league, citing potential harm to smaller cricketing nations, including reduced revenue and fewer opportunities to compete with elite teams.
Balancing Growth and Revenue in Test Cricket
While the two-tier system could boost Test cricket’s popularity among top teams, its impact on smaller nations remains a contentious issue. Advocates argue that higher-stakes matches will maintain the format’s relevance in an era dominated by T20 cricket.
Critics, however, highlight the risk of alienating developing cricket nations, which rely on games against stronger teams for revenue and experience. As discussions progress, the ICC faces the challenge of balancing the need for competitive matches with the broader goal of global cricket development.
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