RESCHEDULING THE LAST TEST IS THE BEST WAY OUT

BCCI is making every effort to avoid any controversy regarding the recent and unfinished Test series against England. This crisis brewed after the Manchester Test was postponed indefinitely amid Covid-19 concerns. Meanwhile, The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has taken the case to the ICC, while two offers have already been made by the BCCI to resolve the issue.

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has offered ECB to play a Test during England tour. He says that BCCI wants to beat England in England after 2007 and this match should be an extension of this series and the winner of the series should be decided in this match. India is currently leading 2-1 in the current series. Ganguly has also said that Test cricket is a complete format and we do not want to compromise on it. At the same time, BCCI secretary Jay Shah has offered to play two T20 matches with England.

I think these are two different aspects. Jay Shah’s offer makes it seem as though he wants to make up for the damage done to the ECB or Lancashire County. On the other hand, Saurav Ganguly’s proposal is quite practical.

The ECB has taken the matter to the ICC. Obviously, this matter will have to be resolved by the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee. But still, I do not believe that BCCI is on the back foot in this matter.

There is a good understanding between ECB and BCCI. England left the tour after the Mumbai attack. But, after some time these matches were organized. If the ICC’s Dispute Committee finds after an investigation that the Indian players were not ready to play this match, then only the ECB will be able to get the amount of insurance. In such a situation, both the proposals made by the BCCI are quite practical.

I personally want the series to be decided by playing an extra Test match. We are 2-1 on four matches but it would be unfair to consider ourselves winners of the series on that basis. It is true that India has dominated the series but it is also true that India has lost one Test in this series as well. If this series is decided by this additional Test, then it will be the right decision in the interest of cricket. Even after this, if the ECB wants to play two extra T20 matches, then there is no harm. In such a situation, this series should be held in July next year will be five matches instead of three.

Writer is a former wicket-keeper of Team India and currently a cricket expert. Views expressed are his personal.