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"It's not home": Ashwin backs Virat Kohli's 6-year-old call for 'five' Test centres

Soumyajit Dutta

Virat Kohli and Ashwin [Source: @BCCI/X.com]Virat Kohli and Ashwin [Source: @BCCI/X.com]

Back in October 2019, then-India captain Virat Kohli had advocated for establishing just five Test centres in the country, but his suggestion was largely ignored. Now, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has supported the idea following the recent two-Test series against West Indies, played in Ahmedabad and Delhi.

Ashwin voices for fewer Test centres

Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said standard Test centers would help players become familiar with conditions rather than selecting venues just for crowd appeal. 

“Test centres are not about crowds alone. It is also about familiarity of conditions. If we are playing a Test in Guwahati or Ranchi, I am not opposed to these venues as possibilities. But the problem in India is that every surface has a different identity. There is literally no bounce in the Eastern part of the country. It becomes a very ordinary Test match pitch then," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat'.

He added that only the best pitches should be awarded Test status in India, otherwise it feels like playing in India but not in India.

“Make sure whichever Test centre you decide has the best pitches. Some venues are better than others only because the pitches are better and the team is used to the conditions. That is a home advantage. Otherwise, the only point is that you are playing within that Indian map and it is referred to as home, but it is not home,” he added.

Ashwin loops in Kohli's old call

Backing Virat Kohli’s call, Ashwin also questioned Guwahati hosting the upcoming Test against South Africa and criticised the BCCI for prioritising profits over players’ comfort.

“Eden Gardens, Guwahati – playing against South Africa there, should there be standard Test centres? Virat said years ago that they must be fixed. I personally think it’s about time. Why did we make Test centres? So more cricketers could emerge, and their associations would get more funding," said Ashwin.

"But Guwahati as a Test match is not a home game for either team, and I don’t think anyone in the Indian team has played a first-class game in Guwahati,” added the spinner.

With India winning the West Indies series 2-0, they are currently placed third on the ICC World Test Championship rankings with 4 wins from 7 matches and are behind Sri Lanka and Australia.