| Just because the Indian Premier League (IPL) has | | | | take into account the cases of Rahul Dravid, Anil |
| been a huge hit both in India and in South Africa | | | | Kumble, VVS Laxman, Jacques Kallis and many other |
| cricket experts should not read too much into it and | | | | test players who had successfully adopted the T20 |
| start writing obituaries of test cricket. | | | | format we confront the obvious 'test cricketers fit |
| This is like the age old debate of form and content. | | | | into any form as they have learned the basics |
| Cricket is the content and tests, one day | | | | exhaustively'. |
| internationals (ODIs) and T20 are only the forms. | | | | It is neither the conflict between purists and |
| One cannot totally replace the other. As long as the | | | | modernists. We cannot expect all to love all forms. |
| content remains forms are bound to exist. | | | | Articles or books are written for the targeted |
| Cricket is also like Indian music. Test cricket spread | | | | readers, movies are made for the targeted viewers |
| over possible five days may be compared to the | | | | and paintings are made for the supposedly |
| expanded rhythm pattern adopted in a vilambit | | | | connoisseur admirers. Further, as long as the 'content' |
| khayal where you are slowly and steadily taken into | | | | remains cricket is bound to produce riveting and |
| the innermost charms of a raga of Indian Classical | | | | suspenseful moments irrespective of the 'forms'. We |
| Music. ODIs are like light classical compositions where | | | | remember the evergreen tests since the last more |
| faster rhythm pattern gives you quicker results. T20 | | | | than hundred years; we relish the nail biting test |
| is simple light music where booming rhythm gives you | | | | finishes and the rare 'tied' tests and the Ashes series |
| instant gratification. | | | | between England and Australia is always eagerly |
| There is another striking similarity between Indian | | | | awaited. Similarly all ODIs are never interesting and |
| classical music and cricket. Artistes trained in the | | | | one sided IPL matches are big bores. |
| classical tradition can fit into any form of music as | | | | So, who says test cricket is dying? |
| they have learned the basics exhaustively. When we | | | | |