Team India may play more Tests, after all

rocky_g

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Team India may play more Tests, after all


Mumbai: The Sachin Tendulkars, Rahul Dravids, VVS Laxmans of Team India need not worry.

Even the MS Dhonis can breathe easy. India may get to play a few more Tests than expected, after all.

For the record, the Indian Board officials are careful to cite the current FTP obligations which, approved in 2006, runs till May 2012 but according to highly-placed sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India, moves are afoot to explore possibilities if a few Test matches can be squeezed in the existing Future Tours Programme (FTP).

The BCCI seems to have taken note of the media reports -- national and international -- against its 'reticence' to play Test matches. Sources say negative press apart, the Board itself is keen to give its team the best possible chance to maintain the newly-acquired No.1 status in ICC Test rankings.

The Board is trying to figure out the feasibility of tweaking the FTP. Everything is still at a planning stage and consent of other boards is also a necessity but recent history shows that few boards oppose a BCCI proposal.

Barring a two-Test series in Bangladesh next month, India are not scheduled to play any five-day games till the November 2010 home series against New Zealand. However, the BCCI has spotted windows of opportunities in the two home ODI series -- against South Africa in February-March and Australia in October when the sides are to play five and seven ODIs, respectively.

The options being thought of are conversion of both series into a two-Test and three-ODI arrangement.


Whether the BCCI officials have touched base with their counterparts in Cricket Australia could not be ascertained but Cricket South Africa has confirmed to DNA that it has received such a proposal from India.

"We have received a proposal from the BCCI to play two Tests and three ODIs when we visit India. We are looking into it," said Gerald Majola, the CEO of the South African board. When contacted, BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said he is "aware" of the concerns but did not elaborate.

India have a packed schedule till the 2011 World Cup. Following the current Sri Lanka series, they are off to Bangladesh to play a tri-series besides the two Tests followed by a five-match ODI series against South Africa and also the IPL in March-April. Thereafter, the team is off to the West Indies for the World T20, followed by a likely tri-series in Zimbabwe and Champions League T20 in September. India then host Australia and New Zealand before going to South Africa in December for three Tests and five ODIs.

Team India may play more Tests, after all - dnaindia.com

2 tests and 3 ODIs against both Australia and South Africa are not bad. ;)
 

King Cricket

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Guess the BCCI officials aren't that bad after all! :p Good news for Indian cricket. Hope they are able to convince both the CA and the CSA into making the necessary changes.
 

SaiSrini

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I wouldnt mind 2 tests against SA if we can have 3 more tests against Australia at the expense of the 7 ODI's (make it 3 tests and 3 ODI's against Australia). That would make it a total of 10 test matches in 2010, which would be fantastic.
 
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pcfan123

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great news (although I think 2 test series leave much more to be desired)
 

sohum

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I'm so confused now. CSA cancelled the 3 Test/5 ODI endeavor to make it a 5 ODI series. Now the BCCI wants a 2 Test/3 ODI tour in its place?
 

ZoraxDoom

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w00t! So the BCCI are saving Test Cricket, unlike CSA who are trying to kill it.




:p
 

aussie1st

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Just get rid of the ODIs and make it 3 Test. 1st v 2nd/3rd shouldn't be playing a 2 match series that is usually reserved for 8th v 9th.
 

SaiSrini

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They are just trying to increase the number of tests played by India instead of looking at how many tests should be played in a series between the top teams, etc.

I hope they make a 3-test series out of the India-Australia 7 ODI's. And play it at top venues like Bangalore, Chennai and Bradbourne (since Wankhede is not available).
 

Raj_Aryan

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Good that they have some concern about Cricket and not just making only money..
 

Harishan

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Good to see the BCCI have come to their senses :p, I hope both series get the green light from both the CA and CSA.
 

KBC

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Far better than having a 5 ODI series. Love it, what's left over is the confirmation.
 

drainpipe32

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@Zorax, get out :p

Would love to see a series between Australia and India!

Good news for cricket this :D
 

rahuldravidfan

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Guess the people on the "We hate BCCI because they're killing cricket" campaign can go fly a kite :sarcasm

All Hail the Saviour of Test Cricket - BCCI :hpraise:hpraise
 

KBC

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@Zorax, get out :p

Would love to see a series between Australia and India!

Good news for cricket this :D

Yo might see his otha half of the name for saying that! :p


Nice to see the BCCI 'lovers' back here.
 

sohum

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Hailing the BCCI is a little far-fetched.

The only reason BCCI is even proposing Tests is because India are number 1. If India had drawn the series against Sri Lanka or won it only 1-0, you wouldn't see any changes. Let's hope this is some long-term change in politicking.
 

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