The upcoming mid August is gonna be an interesting and vital time for Indian cricket, not just for the men’s Cricket Team alone, but for the oodles and lesions of fan supported Cricket and I’ve always wrote it for the men senior team, especially in the Red ball format.
At a time with the Indian cricket team is largely thought for its prowess in white ball cricket having become a beacon of progress and all encompassing power in the twin white ball formats, it is heartening and so glad to note that the men’s senior Cricket Team, which is currently in Sri Lanka is going to play its 600th test match.
In a sport that marvels itself with the achievement of amazing and dazzling statistics, one wonders just how big and important a number is 600?
You read that right- 600 test matches.
What India is going to play against Sri Lanka in the form of the first or the opening test match of the two match series, which is going to take place in the island pearl nation is the team’s Test match #600!
Upholding the dignity of Test cricket
And on this occasion, a revered name in the annals of the game in India, as a matter of fact, India’s oldest surviving Test cricketer- Dr Chandrakant Patankar, has shared a few interesting insights that not only reaffirm the faith of doting Cricket fan is in the Red-ball format, but uphold the dignity and stature of Tests as the most sublime and signature format in the sport!
Here’s what you ought to note another what Dr Patankar just shared:
‘There is a huge difference in today’s cricket and when we used to play this game. Facilities-wise, skill-wise, the player’s approach towards this game has changed a lot. Now, there are matches around the year and playing across most of those 365 days requires top fitness levels. That’s why today’s players are much fitter than what we used to be. Test cricket is progressing well and will continue to do well in the future.’
When did Dr Patankar play a Test for India?
Dr Patankar was part of India’s test match that was played back in the 1955-56 season against New Zealand and he happens to be the oldest surviving Test cricketer from that era.
Having said that, Dr Patankar is also of the idea that day night test matches are not a bad idea at all, and he alluded to the fact that the same could be given some consideration at some time.