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According to South African legend Graeme Smith, India led the way in the development of Test cricket under former skipper Virat Kohli, and only five or six countries may be playing the longest format in the coming years.
Smith believes that only a few countries are currently contributing to the growth of Test cricket.
“With Test cricket, it’s just iconic nations or the big cricketing nations that are contributing to Test cricket at the moment,” Smith said on ‘Sky Sports’ during day three of the first Test between South Africa and England.
The 41-year-old feels under Kohli India “really took Test cricket seriously.”
Kohli has been a champion of the game’s longest format. He led India to the final of the inaugural World Test Championships, as well as several memorable Test victories.
“I think it’s fantastic especially under Virat Kohli that India really took Test cricket seriously. They lead the way with that.
“But as long as we’ve got competitive teams, you’re not going to have 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 competitive teams. You might only be down to five or six nations that play Test cricket at this level,” Smith added.
IPL owners have purchased all six teams in Cricket South Africa’s new T20 league, and Smith, who was recently appointed commissioner of the league, has welcomed the investment, which he believes the country’s cricket board “desperately needed.”
“It’s certainly going to be an investment into our game that South African cricket desperately needed,” Smith said.
“The pressures on nations like New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa to stay financially sustainable to keep up with England, India, and the world game to stay competitive is hugely important.
“I don’t think world cricket can afford South Africa or any one of the top nations to start fading away.”
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