Virat Kohli has described Test cricket as “the most beautiful format of the game” and expects the forthcoming Test Championship, which is due to start in July 2019, to give it “a huge push”.
To read the interview in full, order a copy of the latest Wisden Cricket Monthly, also available in digital form
In a rare and exclusive sit-down interview with India’s captain in the latest issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly, available to order here, he says that despite the emergence of T20 and the Indian Premier League, and personally boasting an unparalleled batting record in ODI cricket, nothing compares to the thrill of triumphing in the five-day game.
“If you’re not going to give more importance to first-class cricket, then people are going to lose motivation to play the longest format of the game,” he continues. “And with the T20 format coming in I think there’s far greater responsibility on all the cricket boards across the world to treat first-class cricket really well, because if the facilities and the standard goes up, then the motivation always stays. You don’t want players to get into that mindset where they’re finding the easy way out.”
