Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary cricketer, believes that the dearth of quality fast bowlers has reduced the charm of Test cricket.
In an interview to news agency PTI, the former India captain pointed out that rivalries like Sunil Gavaskar vs Andy Roberts or a Dennis Lillee vs Imran Khan were worth the wait during the 1970s and ’80s. Similarly, a Tendulkar vs Glenn McGrath or Wasim Akram used to be a connoisseur’s delight, he added.
Here’s what Sachin Tendulkar said about the state of present-day Test cricket:
“Rivalries which people invariably looked forward to are no longer there because there are very few world-class fast bowlers right now. That element I am sure is missing. The quality of fast bowling can surely be better without any doubt.”
“The standard of cricket has gone down which is not great news for Test cricket. The standard needs to go up and for that, I would again say that the root cause is the playing surfaces.”
“If we provide fair pitches where fast bowlers, as well as spinners, get help, then balance between bat and ball will be restored.”
“If the balance is missing then the contest becomes weak and it fails to grab eyeballs. Test cricket must have good wickets.”
“This year’s Ashes had some of the best Test pitches in recent times. The only time they moved to Old Trafford, you saw that Test wasn’t as exciting as the ones at the Headingley, or the Lord’s Test or for that matter even the one at the Oval. I thought those Test matches were exciting.”
