Sachin Tendulkar explains all the problems with the four-day Test

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar is the latest cricketer to join in the debate regarding the proposed four-day Tests. A recent report in ESPNCricinfo stated that ICC’s cricket committee plans to shorten Tests to four days from five for the 2023-2031 World Test Championship cycle. Tendulkar, however, stated that the original five-day format should not be tinkered with.

“From a purist’s point of view and being an admirer of Test cricket, I don’t think it should be tinkered with. The format has to be played in the way it has been played for so many years,” Tendulkar was quoted as saying by PTI.

“The batsmen will start thinking that it is a longer version of the limited-overs match because the moment you bat till the second-day lunch, you know that there are only two and a half days to go. That changes the thinking and dynamics of the game.”

Tendulkar also felt that the absence of the fifth day will be a loss to the spinners. “Taking away the fifth-day track from a spinner is like taking away the first-day track from a fast bowler. There is no fast bowler in the world who wouldn’t want to bowl on a fifth-day track,” Tendulkar said.

“On the final session of a fifth day, any spinner would like to bowl. The ball doesn’t turn from the first day or the first session. The wicket takes time for wear and tear. The fifth day brings with it, turn, bounce and the unevenness of the surface. It doesn’t happen on the first two days,” he added.

Earlier, the current captain, Virat Kohli was also straightforward in his opinion of shortening the format, saying he will not endorse it.

“I am not a fan of (it),” Kohli told reporters before the 1st T20I against Sri Lanka. “With Test cricket, you know, day-night Test is the most (as far as changes go). Then you are only, purely talking about getting numbers in and entertainment. I think the intent will not be right then because then you will speak of three-day Test—I mean, where do you end and then you will speak of Test cricket disappearing. So I don’t endorse that at all.”