Four-day Tests a ridiculous idea, will lead to draws: Gautam Gambhir

NEW DELHI: Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir slammed the idea of four-day Tests adding that they won't have the charm of playing on a wearing fifth-day pitch.
In his column for the Times of India, Gambhir wrote, "I welcomed 2020 in Jaisalmer with family and friends. Beyond the celebrations and feasting, the talk would invariably veer to cricket. The common consensus among the bunch was that something was amiss in our game.Some felt said day-night Test cricket is the future, others felt better management of players' fitness was the need of the hour. I also heard that cricket needs an 'American marketing hand' to make it more of a global game. When my turn came, I listed two aspects: lack of champion cricketers and lively pitches. At the outset, let me say that I think four-day Test matches are a ridiculous idea and should be dropped immediately. It will invite drawn games, will have no place for spinners and will take away the charm of playing on a wearing fifth-day pitch."
On the eve of India's opening T20I against Sri Lanka, Gambhir rued the censorship on the players.
"As India begin their year with a T20I series against Sri Lanka, I wonder how many of you know who the two opening batsmen from the visiting team will be. Apart from the 'M & M' - Matthews and Malinga - maybe an ardent fan can relate to Kusal Perera. And that's about it. Sri Lanka are not the only team in this predicament. South Africa are no different. Pakistan too. West Indies and New Zealand are better placed in terms of star power but I am not sure there is enough there to attract a new fan. I am also worried about too much censorship on the players. It seems even a frown on the forehead can lead them to the match referee's room. The game needs characters and not robots," Gambhir added.
Gambhir also called for a better balance between bat and ball as the game seemed loaded in the favour of batsmen.
"The game also needs juicy pitches. I am all for fours and sixes in any format of the game but a reasonable balance between bat and ball will not harm. For those who are responsible should remember that bowlers are as much a part of the game as batsmen are. I liked what Mark Waugh had to say about leg byes, that they should be done away with. The former Australian cricketer is right when he says that batting is about playing the ball and not missing it. After a long time, a good suggestion," Gambhir concluded.