Former English skipper Kevin Pietersen became the first non-Indian to deliver a keynote address at the MAK Pataudi Lecture. He used the opportunity to emphasize the importance of day-night Test cricket.
He went on to say that India is still not comfortable with the day-night format of Test cricket but said that it is only way forward to save the traditional format of the game at a time when T20 format is taking the cricketing world by a storm.
"If we wish cricketers to commit to five-day cricket we have to pay them. So how do we pay them? Simply by throwing the same commercial nouse and innovation at the Test game. Five days of action. They provide so many opportunities.”
"Day night games have demonstrated the enormous leaps that are possible. The IPL doesn't play its biggest fixtures when many of its staunchest, wealthiest fans are at work. Neither should Test cricket," Pietersen said in his address.
Pietersen suggested that one way of popularising Test cricket is by better marketing and promotion. He said that this would prevent one from succumbing into the “lazy assumption that 20-20 rules."
"It will only be by pushing the marketing dial to a maximum that we will see if the Test game has true potential. Let's make every game count. Push the profile of the world Test championship. Develop marketing opportunities. Offer cheaper seats in the ground to provide a better spectacle for TV viewers," he said.
"We need to get them back through the turnstiles. It's better for the players the sponsors and television. Let's get the fans back! Let's throw equal marketing clout behind the Test game before we succumb to the lazy assumption that 20-20 rules."