THE FUTURE of Test match cricket is in grave danger all over the world. In India, the game always attracted crowds for different formats of the game, but interest in Test cricket seems to be dwindling in a country where the game is considered to be a religion and its players, God. The number of empty seats at Eden Gardens and Kotla is testimonial to this fact. The game needs a serious make over else the longer format of the game may soon be lost in the crowd of over populated ODI’s and T20 matches.

The BCCI must have been surprised by the dwindling crowd at these Test venues, hence BCCI's chief administrative officer, Prof Ratnakar Shetty said that they are thinking of organising Test matches in non- Test venues in the country, as reported by The Times of India. One has to wonder, will this be able to solve the problem and fill the seats?

The BCCI will bring this proposal in their next meeting. Even if the meeting gives a green signal for it, they need to get a go-ahead from the ICC too, as the venues have to match up to the ICC standards of hosting Test matches. The BCCI has the required money to upgrade various stadiums in the country, so it should not be a matter of concern. But, this idea does not guarantee seats being filled up in the stadiums.

The advent of T20 can largely be held responsible for people losing interest in the longer format of the game. The shortest format of the game, T20 is considered to be more entertaining and does not give the audience the time to get bored. Hence, the stadiums for these T20 matches are always full.

With the ICC postponing the ICC Test Championship for 2017, it does not show good signs for Test cricket fans. All cricket boards around the world need to act swiftly along with the ICC in order to protect Test cricket form being extinct.