Ravi Shastri speaking at the World Cricket Connects event at Lord's Cricket Ground.

Ravi Shastri has advocated for a two-tier Test cricket system at the MCC event

Ravi Shastri elaborated extensively on the need to re-strategize the future of Test cricket. © Getty

Ravi Shastri has advocated for introducing a two-tier system for Test cricket.

Speaking at the inaugural World Cricket Connects event held at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday, the former India coach suggested that Test cricket could become more engaging through a promotion and relegation system.

“Shastri proposed a competitive Test structure with promotion and relegation to maintain interest,” the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) revealed, releasing excerpts from the extensive discussion.

Shastri also touched on managing Twenty20 cricket, emphasizing its financial importance and the ICC’s role in overseeing the Future Tours Programme.

He has previously argued against including bilateral Twenty20 matches in the ICC calendar, suggesting that the world body should only organize the World Cup for the shortest format of the game.

Shastri highlighted the shifting balance of power and economic realities in modern cricket, noting the transition from England and Australia’s dominance to India’s.

He also underscored the importance of the BCCI sharing resources more equitably.

During the same discussion, Graeme Smith spoke about the evolution of Test cricket, noting that it is primarily played by six nations and advocating for a strategic approach to its future.

He warned against oversimplified solutions, such as dedicated windows for the format, an idea supported by Australia’s captain Pat Cummins.

The MCC discussion brought together some of the most influential figures in cricket to discuss major opportunities and challenges facing the modern game.

“The debate generated a range of ideas for those attending to help shape the positive evolution of the game,” the MCC stated.

Sanjog Gupta, Head of Sports at Star & Disney India, emphasized balancing commercial interests with regulatory measures and enhancing the overall fan experience to ensure the sport’s sustainability.

Ramiz Raja highlighted the challenges faced by the Pakistan Cricket Board, particularly due to the inability to play lucrative bilateral series against India.

He pointed out the Pakistan Super League’s success in boosting Pakistan’s cricket economy and called for better stadium facilities and innovative formats like triangular series.

Andrew Strauss, the former England captain, noted the Olympics’ potential to introduce cricket to new audiences, while Venky Mysore, CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders, stressed the importance of globalizing cricket brands and fan bases to create year-round engagement and new market opportunities.

Greg Barclay, Chair of the ICC, opened the event with a thought-provoking introduction on the state of the game.

He highlighted the unsustainable pace of the current cricket calendar and the challenge of balancing the sport’s global growth with economic realities.

“Barclay stressed the need for collaboration and compromise among cricket’s leaders to navigate these challenges effectively,” the MCC noted.

Attendees included chairs and CEOs from ICC full members representing Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, and associate nations Scotland and Oman.

The IPL was strongly represented by the CEOs of the Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, along with prominent figures from broadcasting.

Leaders from the Professional Cricketers’ Association, Australian Cricketers’ Association, SA20, and IL20 were also present.

MCC’s World Cricket committee members, such as Kumar Sangakkara, Graeme Smith, Clare Connor, and Jhulan Goswami, attended alongside cricket legends Kevin Pietersen, Brendon McCullum, Heather Knight, Barry Richards, and Ravi Shastri.

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