Former India coach Ravi Shastri has suggested introducing a two-tier system in Test cricket with relegation and promotion to ensure the red-ball format remains alive and thriving.
His statement came after the thrilling fourth Test between India and Australia, which drew a record-breaking 373,691 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) over five exciting days. This crowd surpassed the previous record of 350,534 spectators during the 1936-37 Ashes series, where legendary Donald Bradman dominated the field.
Shastri, now working as a commentator, described the match as the biggest promotion for Test cricket he had ever seen, emphasizing that the five-day game continues to captivate fans despite the growing popularity of T20 franchise leagues.
The former coach, aged 62, said the spectacle underscored the need for top teams to play against each other more frequently to keep the format competitive.
“Breaking records that have stood for nearly a century shows how alive and strong Test cricket is when the best teams face off. This proves the unmatched appeal of this format,” Shastri wrote in his column for The Australian newspaper.
He also called on the ICC (International Cricket Council) to adopt a two-tier system to ensure that only well-matched teams compete, enhancing the quality of the games. “The match reminded us why we need a structure where the top 6-8 teams play, supported by promotion and relegation. Without it, these kinds of crowd turnouts will remain rare,” he explained.
The ICC has considered the two-tier format for several years, but no concrete steps have been taken. In 2016, there was a proposal for a premier league featuring the top seven teams. However, this plan was scrapped after opposition led by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which argued that it would negatively affect smaller cricketing nations.
Shastri also voiced his opinion on preserving five-day Test matches, amidst discussions about shortening them to four days to streamline schedules. “The final day’s theatre at the MCG proved why five days are essential for a classic Test match. However, without a two-tier system, uneven matches will become more common, and fewer games will extend into the fifth day, leading to more talks about four-day Tests,” he said.
Australia secured victory in the match by 184 runs late on day five, taking a 2-1 lead in the series. The final Test will take place in Sydney this week.
