India’s leading Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has opined that winning the ICC Test Championship title will be a much bigger feat than clinching an ODI or T20 World Cup.
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Virat Kohli and company are currently leading the World Test Championship (WTC) points table with 360 points from 7 Tests, and they are likely to play the final of the inaugural event in June 2021.
“… when you become Test champions, I would say it is more than winning an ODI or a T20 World Cup. The reason is, this format is the ultimate format,” Pujara said during the latest episode of ‘Inspiration’ on India Today.
“If you ask any great cricket player from the past, even the present cricketers, they would say that Test cricket is the most challenging format of this game. And when you become world champion of Test cricket, there is nothing like it.”
In their WTC campaign so far, India have whitewashed West Indies (2-0; away), South Africa (3-0; home) and Bangladesh (2-0; home).
The No. 1 Test side will now take on New Zealand in a two-match Test series, starting February 21 in Wellington.
“Most of the teams have done well in their home conditions but when they go away, they are always challenged. Especially about the Indian team, we have managed to do well overseas. We have now started winning series overseas,” Pujara said.
“So, that is the biggest advantage this Indian team has now. Talking about the Test championship, any team who gets into the final, they have to work really hard for over a period of two years and they have to win not just at home but also they have to start winning away from home.”
The 32-year-old also lauded ICC’s decision to introduce World Test Championship, saying it has made the five-day format more competitive.
“To sustain Test cricket, ICC had to come up with something and all the cricket playing nations have to think about Test cricket. To sustain Test cricket, I think this is one of the best platforms players can ask for. And there is something to play for in each and every Test match. You won’t see many draws now,” he remarked.
“So going forward, most of the Test matches will produce results. At the same time, even the opposition side, if they manage to play a draw, they will still get some points. Overall I think we’ll see a lot of competitive cricket at Test level. But going forward, I think we still have to do a few more things for the Test format to survive.”
