India’s home Test season against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has started with more than just cricketing action on the field—it has sparked a debate about the future of Test cricket in India.
This match marks the first time in nearly 15 years that neither Virat Kohli nor Rohit Sharma features in India’s playing XI, both having retired from the format earlier this year. The absence of these two modern legends has visibly impacted fan turnout. The stadium, one of the world’s largest, saw rows of empty seats on the first two days, disappointing purists of the game.
Cricket fans and analysts have drawn parallels with Virat Kohli’s past suggestion of restricting Test matches to select “heritage venues” that naturally attract weekday crowds. The poor turnout, despite India’s strong position, strengthens this argument about reviving the format’s popularity in India.
India’s Dominance on the Field
Despite the lack of crowd support, India dominated proceedings.
- West Indies Innings: After winning the toss and opting to bat, the visitors were dismantled for 162 runs. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah destroyed the top and lower order, while spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar added pressure.
- India’s Response: Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul gave the hosts a steady start. While Jaiswal fell early, Rahul carried his form across two days, supported by skipper Shubman Gill’s composed half-century. India quickly secured a commanding first-innings lead, showcasing their superiority.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
