Srikkanth: Test cricket under lights can be big hit
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth says Test cricket under lights can well be a big hit in the days to come given the various exciting possibilities if offers.
Published : Nov 18, 2015 16:00 IST
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth says Test cricket under lights can well be a big hit in the days to come given the various exciting possibilities if offers. “We have to accept change and move with the changing times,” the former dashing opener remarked on the sidelines of a private function here on Wednesday.
“If you remember in the early days, when one-day cricket or for that matter T-20 format was introduced, there were serious doubts by some critics. Look at the way they are all big hits across the world. Similarly, who knows night Test cricket can well draw huge crowds,” the 55-year-old Srikkanth explained. “I am for it and it should be very popular amongst the cricketers too for it offers different challenges,” he added.
Commenting on Virat Kohli as captain, the former chairman of national selection committee felt that he was doing a good job. “Seems to be settling down well if the early hints are any indication and seems to be the right course too,” he added.
Questioned whether there would be some sort of pressure on India one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to keep performing now with the handing over of captaincy to Virat, Srikkanth replied in the negative. “I don’t think so. He is one of those cricketers who never show any kind of pressure under any circumstances. We will see how things shape up for him in the days to come,” commented the former cricketer, who played 43 Tests for 2062 runs with two centuries and 12 fifties between 1981-92.
Reflecting on the Indian team in general, Srikkanth feels it is a very good, balanced side with tremendous potential. “The team seems to be going in the right direction having won the first Test against South Africa easily and but for the rains in Bengaluru would have wrapped up the second one too,” he said with a big smile.
“Have right combination to win T20 World Cup”
Commenting on the T20 World Cup to be held in India, the former India opener felt it could well be again India which could win the Cup. “We have always been doing well in this format and being held in India has its own advantages. We can have the right combination to clinch the Cup again,” says Srikkanth, a member of the 1983 World cup winning team.
“Cricket, for that matter any aspect of life, is all about confidence. If you look at the way some of the best young talent has been emerging from relative obscure places of Uttar Pradesh, Saurashtra, Madhya Pradesh it shows that the youngsters now have great confidence in themselves,” Srikkanth commented. “Look at the career of Dhoni himself coming from what then was a relatively obscure cricketing centre Ranchi. He went on to become one of the biggest stars of the game itself,” he said.
“Cricketers coming from the lesser known centres is a good augury for Indian cricket itself,” Srikkanth concluded.