Chappell is extremely concerned about Test cricket’s future

Former India head coach Greg Chappell has announced that he is still worried about the country’s Test future, despite the fact that they have an excellent team with a bright future ahead of them.

“I think the future of Indian cricket is very strong,” Chappell said. “I am excited to think where Indian cricket can go and can lead the game.”

However, Chappell continues to grow increasingly concerned about the rising popularity of Twenty20 cricket and how numerous international players ditch their national teams to collect big paychecks at the growing number of domestic Twenty20 tournaments around the world.

He pointed out the negative impact Twenty20 cricket was having on Test cricket, stating that fans are not treated to the spectacle that they deserve due to the fact that all the star players have bolted off to play in Twenty20 tournaments instead of doing the honourable thing of representing their country.

“If we allow Tests to lose, cricket will lose its soul,” Chappell said. “Cricket will be poorer.

“T20 has taken the game to a different level. It is here to stay, no doubt about that. We don’t need to change that.”

Chappell also noted that India were starting to get accustomed to playing in different conditions and scenarios and added that if they can master this trait, then no other international team will be able to stop them.

“That is where you develop players who can play all over the world,” Chappell said. “I think once your cricket embraces this, there will be no stopping what Indian cricket can achieve.”

The former Australia captain further stated that India should have the best side in the world, considering their continuously growing population.

“The reason why it has not happened is the plans have not been put in place,” he said. “It (India) should be the next cricket super-power. It should dominate cricket in the long-term. For that, changes are needed but not ad-hoc strategies.”

However, in order for India to reach that platform of dominance, Chappell believes that numerous academies need to be established around the country and more money has to be spent on upgrading and building facilities for everyone to use.

“The step which is equally important is to provide facilities for everybody to play cricket,” Chappell added. “It is the environment rather than the academies that produce good players.”

Chappell also suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should introduce different types of pitches for each region of the nation.

“Not every pitch needs to be the same,” he said. “Each region has its own nuances.”