Test Cricket Must Change or Risk Losing Its Global Relevance

On the last day of a test cricket match at Lord there was a crowd breakout and it was not a Monday off, but it felt like a bank holiday weekend. Nobody was anticipating that the stands would be full on a working day, but everyone turned out to see the type of thriller and drama that cricket alone can serve.

These scenes are rare to see. Beyond the heart of England, Australia, and New Zealand, no other country can pull off a crowd with the same passion and numbers. While stadiums like Lord’s, MCG, and Queenstown are vibrant with atmosphere, many of the other Test venues around the world lie in silence. 

South Africa has fewer matches and smaller crowds. The West Indies, where the game once produced heroes, is now struggling to draw an audience for the shorter formats. For countries like Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan, the five-day game struggles to be included in the calendar.

Why test cricket is not thriving in India

India is the powerhouse of cricket in all possible aspects, especially in the commercial aspect. BCCI is doing everything to strengthen cricket at all levels. But they still need to crack the code of Test cricket and draw the crowd into the stadiums. India is the heart of cricket, but test cricket doesn’t thrive at the grassroots level or in a crowd culture.

Marquee series, like the BGT, have a great viewership and huge interest. Most Test matches in India, especially against less competitive teams, will have very little crowd attendance. Although fans are passionate about it, it lacks marketing efforts to promote test cricket. BCCI promotes T20I & IPL way more aggressively than test cricket.

In contrast, countries like England and Australia built a culture around Test cricket. The Ashes is more of a social event than a sporting event. The scheduling is done with the crowd in mind, usually on weekends or holidays. They also have a clear marketing plan and fan engagement. Even New Zealand, with a smaller pool to draw from, embraces Test cricket as a tactical, subtle, and intense contest that draws in loyal followers.

Where the whites still matter the most

While test cricket is swinging like a pendulum in other countries, including India. Some places cherish and love test cricket, not just play it. In England, the Ashes is a national event. You would see fans queuing outside Lord’s and Headingley at early morning hours. Lord’s test matches are a red-carpet event; everyone dresses like a celebrity and enjoys the match. It seems like suits are the dress code there.

Australia also has a similar set of customs; the Boxing Day Tests attract around 60-70,000 fans on Day 1, and a Test match is still seen as the ultimate test of cricketing quality over five days. They gave a premium experience to their fans to fully enjoy the game.

Even in New Zealand, with a much smaller cricket economy, Test matches retain some relevance. Matches in Wellington or Christchurch don’t have such large stadiums, but those fans stay invested for five days.  In these countries, test cricket is celebrated with pride, intent, and an engaged crowd.

What can India and others learn from test strongholds?

India has the history, talent, and funding to make Test cricket relevant. But it sometimes lacks a structured, event-driven approach, as seen in England and Australia. In England, Test cricket is booked far in advance, marketed heavily, and scheduled mostly on weekdays to draw a weekend crowd. Australia has a national experience around its iconic Test matches, like the Boxing Day Test and the New Year’s Day pink-ball Test. It has extensive media coverage and fan participation.

In India, test matches are not seen as marquee events at all. The minimum promotion, broken ticketing processes, and unreliable scheduling. Pitches are often rank turners or flat like a road. To draw interest, the BCCI could elevate cricket by prioritizing iconic venues such as Eden Gardens, Wankhede, Dharamshala, and Chepauk. BCCI must also focus on providing sporting pitches and considering day-night tests as part of it, rather than testing options.

Countries where test cricket is fading, like South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies, must redefine the experience as a marquee experience. Boards must provide better financial stability and clear pathways for red-ball cricket. They also provide stability with scheduling so that players can prioritize Test cricket. Equally, players must see Test cricket as not a burden, but the ultimate showcase of skill and legacy.

Reviving the soul of cricket

Test cricket remains the essence of the sport, rooted in patience, tenacity, and story. In order to blossom, it needs more than just goodwill. We need to bring back aspiration. We need the boards, in particular, to promote Test cricket as an event rather than a mere match. India is best placed to show the rest of the cricket world how to invest in Test cricket through improved scheduling, fan engagement, and a commitment to red-ball cricket

The ICC must also act by ensuring a minimum number of tests for teams below the elite, increasing investment, and providing a more meaningful engagement for all nations in the World Test Championship. Otherwise, without a commitment in principle to an equitable contest for all, Test cricket may end up being a privilege for the few.

For sure, the five-day game may not be what suits the modern pace, but its value is eternal, and cricket cannot afford to lose it.