World cricket's concern is future of Tests

(CRICKETNMORE) - Best value for all stakeholders. Its a great marketing line for selling cricket. In India the game is in a sellers market and the buyers take anything without a complaint as long as it provides some enjoyment. See

Yet, Tests are in danger of losing out to more economically viable games of shorter formats, though the Indian cricket Board CEO Rahul Johri insists that economics can't be the yardstick of the popularity of Test cricket. He talks of the right balance to keep Tests afloat.

The Test league has come in handy for the major nations to pick and choose their games. All you need to play is six opponents in two years with a minimum f two Tests a series. That is interpreted as the prerogative of the teams to decide who they want to play and how many Tests.

Obviously, India will look at the so-called stakeholders in deciding their opponents as they will look at the broadcasters first, then the players and finally the fans. It is no brainer which team attracts all the stakeholders when it comes to Tests.

So, India are expected to play 24 of their 37 Tests against Australia, England and South Africa, hosting them in 12 of the 19 home Tests and and another dozen of the 18 in return series. Of course, if they are allowed to play, Pakistan will be the number one consideration for the Indians.

Pakistan, once among the top five Test-playing nations, have fallen on evil days. In the four-year cycle they will play 104 matches, with 28 Tests, 38 ODIs and T20s each. They are just above the two new Test entrants Ireland (102), Afghanistan and Zimbabwe 88 each.