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New Delhi: Buoyed by India's continuance at the top of the Test rankings perch, and chastened by widespread criticism last year over a lopsided schedule which saw the longer format pushed to the periphery, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) is now rooting for more Test cricket for the national team.
Thus, after getting South Africa to say yes to a change in itinerary and play two Tests while curtailing the number of ODIs from five to three in the ongoing tour, the BCCI is trying to squeeze in some more Tests this year, even at the cost of sacrificing some ODIs.
To begin with, while India are scheduled to play a 7-ODI series against Australia this year, BCCI is now mulling to host two Tests. It has already informed Cricket Australia (CA) about the plan.
"We're certainly committed to more Tests And we're also keen to honour ICC's Future Tour Programme. We've already requested CA for two Tests and the board is waiting for a reply. Hopefully, CA will agree," a top BCCI official, who didn't wish to be named, told TOI on Friday.
As of now, India will play three Test matches against Sri Lanka away and will host the New Zealanders at the end of the year. But before October, if CA agrees to BCCI's request, the Tests could be played, but only at the cost of a few ODIs. That is because CA only has a 25-day window, which is tailor-made for seven ODIs.
