Lalit Modi’s big suggestion: Create IPL teams, own test cricket teams, play matches to connect young audience

Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has recommended taking a bold step to save Test cricket. He believes that Indian Premier League (IPL) teams should own Test teams and organize exhibition matches to attract young spectators, in order to save the oldest format of Test cricket from further decline.

Lalit Modi, while interacting with former English cricketer Michael Vaughan in The Overlap podcast, said that to keep Test cricket alive, IPL franchises should take ownership of Test teams and organize exhibition matches, so that the youth can be connected to the game. However, he also made it clear that it is important to give priority to international, country-to-country cricket.

“Test cricket will only work if the IPL teams take ownership of the Test teams. You need the youth and their loyalty. You play your country-to-country game, that is the most important thing. I am saying it should be in the form of a world championship, which happens every year around the world. And to not let it die down, you have to start exhibition matches where teams play Test cricket. Play at least one match against each other every season, so that the youth can get involved in the game again. This club It will be like cricket, like there is club cricket everywhere, but the priority should be on country-to-country games.”

He also said that it is essential to build loyalty among young fans by getting them involved in the game early and giving them a strong and entertaining cricket experience.

Lalit Modi also expressed that he hoped Test cricket would survive, but acknowledged that it was in decline globally. He said Australia and England were the only countries maintaining strong interest in Test cricket through events like the Ashes, while in other countries it was “dying out”.

“I hope Test cricket survives, because I love Test cricket very much. You see the generation that has grown up now, unfortunately they are not experiencing it anywhere else, except Australia and England. These are the only two countries that are maintaining the level of Test because of the Ashes and the English season, but in the rest of the world Test cricket is slowly dying,” Modi said.

Modi also recommended that the five-day Test matches be changed to a four-day day-night format. He said, “Now people may think I am crazy, but I am worried about it, and I have had this recommendation since 2007: Tests should become a four-day game, it should be day and night.”

Lalit Modi also said that viewers nowadays do not have the time and patience for long traditional Test matches like they did in earlier times, when cricket was less accessible and viewing options were limited.

“Modi said – Today’s people do not have the luxury of sitting in the sun all day for four days and drinking beer. I am sorry, those were the good old days when a Test match was on one channel and a Test match was very rare and not easily available compared to today’s media options,” Modi said.

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