Former South Africa skipper AB De Villiers has blamed the T20I format for a shorter Test series between India and South Africa.
India visited the Rainbow Nation in December 2023 for an all-format tour. After the T20Is and ODI series, the two nations locked horns in the red-ball format. The limited-overs formats had a series of three games each. And the Tests? Only two.
AB De Villiers has blamed the emergence of T20 Cricket and leagues around the world as a major concern.
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Have to blame T20 Cricket: AB De Villiers on the lack of importance given to Test Cricket
Speaking on his YouTube channel, AB De Villiers expressed his concern regarding the lack of importance being given to red-ball cricket. He blamed T20 Cricket for the non-scheduling of a third Test match in the India-South Africa series.
I am not happy that there is not a third Test. You have to blame the T20 cricket going around the world for that, he said on his YouTube channel.
He insisted on bringing out a change, to keep the Test format relevant as he added,
I do not know whom to blame, but I sense something is wrong. If you want to see all the teams compete and see who is the best Test team in the world, something has to change.
MORE: India's T20I Squad for Afghanistan series announced
What did AB De Villiers say about players choosing money over Test Cricket?
The Proteas legend further suggested that Test Cricket is facing an existential crisis. With the rise of domestic T20 leagues across the world, they offer players and coaches huge money which are too big too turn down.
He added,
It (South Africa's Test squad for New Zealand) has sent shockwaves around the cricketing world and has made it clear that Test cricket is under pressure, for that matter even ODI cricket and the whole system is turning around T20 cricket, stated De Villiers.
The players, the board and coaches will turn towards where there is more money. You cannot blame them for thinking about their future with their family, ABD concluded.
What next for South Africa?
South Africa will tour New Zealand in February for a two-match Test Series. The Tests are a part of the World Test Championship Cycle 2023-25. The first match is scheduled from 04-08 February 2024. The second game will be played between 13th and 17th February.
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