Zaheer Khan for Virat Kohli's idea of Test centres, wants more than just 5

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan has voiced his opinion on India's skipper Virat Kohli's idea for having dedicated Test centers around the country and has backed the idea. Virat Kohli had suggested the setting up of dedicated Test centers in India in order to create and develop a strong Test culture in the country. Zaheer Khan was of the opinion that there should be more than five Test centers in India given the size of the country and the popularity of the sport among the people. 

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Zaheer Khan backs Virat Kohli's idea

“(Strong Test centers) It makes things easier. In theory, it sounds good. But, maybe, on the whole, the number can be debated. I feel five is just too small a number with regard to the size of the country. I am also in line with that thought process where you have dedicated Test centers are the criterions are met keeping in mind what is best for Test centers,”, Zaheer Khan said to a news agency.

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Anil Kumble backs Kohli's suggestion

Earlier this week, the final Test between India and South Africa witnessed a lukewarm response from the Indian crowd in Ranchi, prompting Kohli to suggest the idea of five permanent Test centres for future home series, similar to the English and Australian model when top teams tour those countries. "I think it is important for Test cricket to promote these centres where people would know that these are the centres where you are going to play Test match cricket in prior to the start of the season so that you can market Test cricket and you can make sure that the crowd come in," Anil Kumble said. "When I was the coach, I think we played in six different centres, they were all new centres and the one centre it was packed was Indore. And the atmosphere was brilliant, it is in the heart of the city that was one of the reasons that the crowd could come in irrespective of the time of the day," Anil Kumble added.

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'All about a vision to make Test cricket great'

A day prior to the first test match, Virat Kohli in the press address said, "Yes, I have suggested to have certain test centres because if you look at the ratio, where in Indore, many people come to watch the match but at other stadiums, many people do not come. Just like when we go to other countries to play, we know we are going to play at MCG, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. We know we'll play four test matches and we know what to expect and how much of crowd to expect too. People also know that there is a test match on this date and at this venue. Hence, it is all about creating a culture. If you take up Indore for example, in T20 or ODI game there will not be a single seat vacant but in Test match, there might be a few vacant seats. I think this is a too deep thought and is definitely not about criticising a particular city or taking away matches from the people of that city but it is about a vision which enables all of us to make test cricket great again."

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