‘Test cricket is in ICU at the moment’: Ex-Cricketer opines strongly about the condition of Test Cricket

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed dismay at South Africa’s choice to send a subpar side to New Zealand for the forthcoming two-match Test series. Most of the cricketers, including captain Neil Brand, are expected to make their debuts, although just two players—David Bedingham and Keegan Petersen—from the Boxing Day Test team that faced India are included in the squad.

Since Chopra said that Test cricket is currently in the intensive care unit and is being kept on a ventilator, other current and former cricket players have come up to criticise Cricket South Africa for favouring SA20 above Test cricket.
Another instance also came up where Shaheen Afridi’s was dropped from the third Test against Australia to control his workload ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the T20 World Cup, which are scheduled to start in early June.

“Test cricket is in ICU at the moment and has been put on the ventilator. Firstly, a handful of teams play Test cricket and among them also, only three teams are left that can afford to play Test cricket. South Africa announced a proper second-string team against New Zealand. The reason is that SA20 is about to start. It is their domestic T20 tournament,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“Two Test matches of the WTC cycle have come this time. They said let’s leave the Test match and that they will play in the SA20, from (Aiden) Markram to (Kagiso) Rabada to everyone, that all of them should be available there (SA20) and the rest of the kids can play Test cricket,” the 46-year-old added.

Chopra criticizes Pakistan’s decision to drop Shaheen

Aakash Chopra was taken aback when Pakistan chose to give Shaheen Afridi a rest following the team’s opening two defeats in the series. The former Delhi batting player said he couldn’t remember an Asian nation choosing to bench its top bowler in Australia.

“Pakistan have rested Shaheen Shah Afridi in the New Year’s Test against Australia. When was the last time an Asian team went to Australia and said they would rest their main player, even if it’s a dead rubber because you want him to be ready for T20 cricket?” Chopra questioned.

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