Test cricket could not possibly have been in a more competitive phase in the last few years as it is now with the differentiation between the top teams being as little as it has ever been. Unlike the past where the world has seen a categorical dominator for over a decade: be it the legendary West Indies side in the 70s & the 80s or the Steve Waugh & Ricky Ponting led Australian side, there are now more teams than just one playing great quality of cricket all over the world.
Only if simple logic prevails, the popularity of test cricket should be more than ever before especially when some of the legends (Read Sachin Tendulkar & Rahul Dravid) are at the peak of their game and approaching milestones that will remain insurmountable for years to come and thus you'd imagine hysteria inundating a Cricket crazy nation where fans would go berserk to occupy any possible space at the Eden.
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| Empty Eden! Nooooo..... |
Even the round the clock ballyhooing by the Indian media around Tendulkar's hundred wasn't good enough to woo fans to the ground as is clearly indicated by the disappointing turnout at the Eden which gives the lowdown that there are serious issues surrounding Test Cricket. There could be multiple reasons as to why Eden was such a depressing sight. Maybe an Australia or England touring could have made some difference to the turnout but shouldn't the sheer presence of Indian team have been enticing enough for congregation from all over Kolkata?
To suggest that Test Cricket is dead in parts of the world while is still hyperbolic, it should entail the concerned authorities to cogitate and incorporate certain measures for revival of Test Cricket for it will always remain the purest form of the game.
