Cricket Australia requests BCCI to rally behind day-night Tests

When the D/N Test concept is slowly kicking off and garnering popularity among the masses, the custodians of cricket in India made it a prerogative to oppose it and it was baffling especially considering the numbers of people turn up to watch a Test match now-a-days. As a matter of fact, in day-night Tests over the past three years, Adelaide's opening-day crowds numbered around 47,000, 32,000 and 55,000, but that dropped to 24,000 yesterday, which made CA worried. CA chief executive Kevin Roberts blamed on fewer interstate visitors who would have come for the night-time spectacle as the main reason for the audience downfall.

"We think we would've had 15,000 or so interstate visitors if it was a day-night Test so there's no doubting we've lost that group of fans," Roberts was quoted as saying by AFP.

"It matters what the fans think and they've voted with their feet. Those numbers (in previous years) are incredible so we're really excited about getting back to that in the future. We hope that the sentiment from fans is something India can see."

Venues like Nagpur and Mohali always throws up empty stands and it couldn’t have been more depressing to see. However, looking at the Adelaide Pink Ball Test, it was quite evident that where the step could lead India. India’s history of Test cricket may not have been too overwhelming, it is certain that it has one soul thanks to some exemplary cricketers and it will not die if they can serve the platter better. And in the light of that Roberts wants India to be convinced about the importance of D/N Tests when the team will tour Australia in 2020/21.

"Let's hope so. Part of that fabric of cricket both nationally and internationally is so rich so we embrace the fact that they've had a different view about this Test match," the CA chief executive said.