Four-day Tests, two-tier system not a solution to format's popularity: BCCI

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur has quashed the idea of four-day Test match or two-tier system, saying that neither of the changes will solve the problem of poor attendance in the longest format of the game.

"It is four day versus five day, it is two-tier as well. We should analyse the shortcomings [of Test cricket]," Thakur was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

The 41-year-old insisted that they first have to analyse the shortcomings of the Test cricket and then need to take action.

"Is it the paucity of time? The issue is why aren't you getting enough crowd for a Test match? That is the basic issue," he said.

Thakur also observed that the problem of Test cricket's popularity has more to do with competition that the format faces from other sports.

"Ask yourself: football, how much time does it take to finish the game? Hockey, how much time does it take? American football, rugby. Fans, on one hand, have these kinds of games which are finished in two hours time at the most; cricket's shortest format, it takes close to three, three and a half hours. So that is one reason," he said.

Thakur also reflected his views on the possible day-night Test in India, saying the board is not in a hurry for the pink-ball match while adding that they would continue to conduct the trials during the ongoing Duleep Trophy.

"This is one of the tournaments where we are trying the pink ball. We'll take the feedback after the tournament is completed. Once it is completed, BCCI can take a call in future whether pink ball is viable in Indian conditions or not, whether it will help to make Test cricket more popular," insisted Thakur.