Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has shown immense concern for the health and falling standards of cricket nowadays, especially in Test format. He said despite the marketing people advertising that the longest format of the game is thriving and kicking.

Gambhir said, "The marketing guys would like us to believe that Test cricket is alive and kicking. But sadly, despite those powerful scenes, Test cricket the world over is not producing the requisite standards. England is struggling, so are Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and West Indies. I am sorry, but beyond a point, you cannot live on history or legacy. West Indies WAS a great side, England WAS a top side in patches, Pakistan and Sri Lanka USED to produce fantastic cricket.”

England recently lost the Ashes, trailing 0-3 and barely managed to draw the fourth Test in Sydney. They are trailing 2-1 to India in a five-Test series, the last Test of which will be played in July 2022. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have made their mark in recent times, but their performance against the top teams in the format is still found wanting.

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Gambhir, however, praised Australia and New Zealand, who won the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship, by beating India in the final. He also felt that India should have dominated South Africa in the ongoing series, but lost the second Test in Wanderers which leveled the series 1-1.

“Sport is played in the present, history and nostalgia can only tickle the romance of the whole scene. At present only India, Australia, and New Zealand are producing some decent standards. That is why it was surprising to see India go down to an ordinary South African team. I am not too excited about the win in Centurion. If anything, India should have dominated this series. Therefore the loss in Johannesburg should really hurt the group," Gambhir added.  

(Times of India inputs)