Test cricket’s long-term future is increasingly being questioned as the sport adapts to shifting audience habits and the growing dominance of shorter formats. With fan engagement patterns evolving rapidly across markets, the format’s sustainability has become a central talking point, a concern echoed by former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi while speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast with former England Captain Michael Vaughan.
Declining engagement raises concerns for Test cricket
Across much of the cricketing world, maintaining consistent interest in the longest format has become a challenge, particularly as newer audiences gravitate towards faster-paced formats. “I hope Test cricket survives because I love the format. One-Day Internationals are completely irrelevant. It makes no sense, mainly because there is an ever-shorter format in T20 cricket. It’s not about the money anymore; it’s about whether you can sustain loyalty from the crowd. When you look at the generation growing up now, unfortunately they are not experiencing real Test cricket anywhere except in Australia and England,” he said.
Traditional strongholds continue to anchor the format
While the format continues to draw strong support in certain regions, its global footprint has become increasingly uneven, with only a few countries sustaining both standards and spectator interest over time. “These are the only two countries that are actually keeping the standard of Test cricket alive because of the Ashes and the English season. The rest of the world’s Test cricket is dying. People think I’m crazy to suggest this, but I care about it. I’ve been saying this since 2007 that Tests should be turned into a four-day game and played day-night because people today don’t have the luxury to spend four days sitting in the sun. Those were the good old days, when there was one television channel and Test cricket was rare. Now, with media so easily accessible, every match around the world is available at the click of a button,” he said.
Franchise-led model suggested as long-term solution
As discussions around reform continue, the possibility of rethinking ownership structures has also entered the debate, particularly in the context of attracting younger audiences and building long-term loyalty. “I’ll say something controversial – the only way Test cricket can survive is if IPL teams own Test teams. I might get shot for saying this, but it’s the first time I’m saying it publicly. You have the youngsters and, more importantly, the loyalty factor,” he said.
Alongside format adjustments such as four-day, day-night Tests, the suggestion reflects a broader shift towards aligning red-ball cricket with the commercial and engagement models that have already transformed the T20 ecosystem.
