Test cricket needs marketing like ODIs and T20s: Kohli

Creating a buzz around Test cricket with attractive marketing, similar to ODIs and T20s, is a must change to an established psyche among fans for traditional format, India skipper Virat Kohli suggested on Sunday.

In a euphoric response to pink-ball contest, close to 50,000 fans attended India's maiden day/night Test which had a lot of activities on sidelines.

India sealed comprehensive innings and 46-run victory inside seven sessions.

"I think it's very, very crucial to market Test cricket like we do for ODIs and T20Is. It's t only job of players but it spreads out to manment cricket Board and home broadcasters about how you portray a particular product to people," Kohli said at post-match press conference.

"If you create an excitement only around T20 cricket and t much around Test cricket n in psyche of fans re's already a certain template that's established," he added.

Kohli said Test cricket needs to be strengned and suggested idea of having interaction with fans, especially school children during games.

"I think if if re's eugh buzz created around Test cricket n re will be a lot more keenness to come to stadium. Like you have in venues abroad, re's something or or happening, maybe a play area for games. Maybe schoolchildren could interact with Team India players during lunch.

"I think all se things will really bring that strength into Test cricket and people would want to come in and have an experience of a Test match. It should be an event where you come and experience cricket, t just sit re and watch in you kw, hot conditions. So I think re has to be more for fan. I totally agree with that and has to be marketed well."

While re were doubts in negotiating pink ball, Kohli was a delight to watch when he was at crease. skipper revealed that iconic Sachin Tendulkar suggested a few alterations on eve of match.

"He made very interesting points that probably with pink ball, you'll have to treat second session like morning session, when it's getting darker and ball starts to swing and seam. So first session, you invariably play like you play from lunch to tea, in rmal timing."

" last session is like that evening session. So you're planning changes, you kw your declaration, strategy timing, everything changes as a batsman, your setup changes. So even if you're set and you're batting well, as soon as it gets dark and lights are on, you kw, you can be in trouble very quickly."

Kohli went to bat under lights with team 43/2 and he felt like smashing ball straightway as he does in IPL games.

"Luckily, I went in when lights were on, so I didn't have to go through that transition, but I think that will be ar challenge in future as well. But he under lights, it was a different experience. When I walked out, it felt like an IPL game atmosphere so you feel like smashing first ball, but you have to remind yourself that you kw you have to play compact," he smiled.

Asked w that India team has taken pink ball plunge, will it be ready to play Tests under floodlights overseas, if a request comes from Cricket Australia.

"I think a good practice game before that and if we get eugh time to prepare we are open to doing anything. It's just that you can't have it in a short tice. As I mentioned last time, if we get eugh time to prepare we are willing to do anything that is required to take up Test cricket in any manner. We'll be quite open.