Kumble backs Kohli’s 5 Test centres idea

New Delhi, October 26 

Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble has supported Virat Kohli’s view of having five centres for Test matches in order to bring the spectators back to the stadium. 

Kumble, in fact, wants the BCCI to go back to the old tradition of the 80s and 90s when Test matches at specific centres were held during festivities. 

During the 80s and 90s the BCCI calender used to have Tests on New Year in Kolkata and in Chennai at the time of Pongal. “I think that has certainly been one of the ways of promoting Test cricket. By restricting it to a few centres, and not just that, it is also important to choose the time of the Test match,” Kumble said.

“When I was the coach, I think we played in six different centres and they all were new centres. Indore was packed to the capacity. The atmosphere was brilliant, it is in the heart of the city and that was one of the reasons the crowd could come in irrespective of the time of the day. I think Day/Night Test cricket will certainly bring in the crowds towards the latter half of that game,” Kumble added. — PTI  

When I was the coach, I think we played in six different centres and they all were new centres. Indore was packed to the capacity. The atmosphere was brilliant, it is in the heart of the city and that was one of the reasons the crowd could come in irrespective of the time of the day. I think Day/Night Test cricket will certainly bring in the crowds towards the latter half of that game — Anil Kumble, former India captain