ALL the three formats — Tests, ODIs and Twenty20s will survive the test of time, reckons former India all-rounder Karsan Ghavri. Test cricket is purists’ delight while the shortest format has taken the world by storm and is gaining popularity each passing day. There has been questions asked on the future of the 50-over One-Day Internationals and the same popped up during a media interaction organised by Bankers Sports Council on Wednesday. “All formats are here to stay. No format is dying. Earlier when 50-over cricket was introduced, people said Test cricket will die. IPL has made a big difference but Twenty20 cricket is for pure entertainment. Tests are the real thing where a player’s skill, technique and discipline is tested. Even Ten10 has started in some countries as people want quick results, within no time. This is just entertainment and no cricket for me ... but even that will survive,” was Ghavri’s reply on the same.

 

India once had dearth of pacers and the former left-arm seamer showered lavish praises on BCCI for overall growth of cricket and more particularly in the fast bowling area. “BCCI has provided the facilities. National Cricket Academy and earlier the MRF Pace Foundation churned out so many fast bowlers like Srianth, Prasad and Zaheer. With the kind of infrastructure we have now, we will never be short of any kind of bowlers. We have got one of the best bowling attacks in all formats of the game. We can expect to win any tournament,” said Ghavri.

 

On Virat Kohli’s absence and England’s Bazball approach, Ghavri said, “Virat is a quality player and Indian team will certainly miss him but fortunately we have good backups for every player in every format of the game. The structure that the BCCI has developed makes sure that there are 2-3 backups available for any player at any given time. I guess India’s supply of players is the best compared to any team in the world today. “I’m not a fan of Bazball. I think T20s have corrupted the purity of Tests. Test matches are being completed inside two days and the style of play has a lot to do with it rather than just conditions.”