There was a big fear at one time (some of it still exists) that ODIs will hasten the demise of Test cricket. The truth is that the “slam-bam” mindset of ODIs has quietly crept into Test cricket. Just look at recent Test matches where teams are unable to survive even a single day. India, Pak, West Indies, England — most teams have crumbled to defeat in less than a day. Has batting on the last two days of a Test become any more difficult than in the Gavaskar days? Has bowling drasticaly improved? I certainly don’t think so.
Thanks to ODIs, batsmen these days, for the most part (barring the occisional Dravids) are incapable of playing to save a Test. To give it a positive spin, ODIs have ensured that most Test matches produce results. With 20-20s gathering steam, soon teams will not survive 50 overs. That’s the crossover point when baseball and cricket will come together for a grand World Series in 2030. đŸ™‚
Pakora Korner 