Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has raised concerns about the way domestic first-class cricket is structured, arguing that the current system may be contributing to India’s struggles to take 20 wickets consistently in Test matches.
Gavaskar’s comments came after India narrowly missed a clean sweep against Sri Lanka in a recent two-match Test series. In the second Test in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s Sonal Dinusha batted through the entire fifth day, preventing India from taking the final wickets needed for victory.
India’s difficulties in finishing Test matches have become a concern, particularly on pitches that offer limited assistance to bowlers. Gavaskar believes part of the problem could be traced back to the domestic system, where teams can secure results by taking a first-innings lead rather than pushing for an outright victory.
He cited the recent Duleep Trophy match between East Zone and South Zone as an example. East Zone, led by Ishan Kishan, secured the title after taking a first-innings lead. The team had posted a massive 708 runs, with Kishan contributing an outstanding 270.
According to Gavaskar, East Zone could have attempted to force an outright victory instead of allowing the match to end after their second innings was declared. The two captains eventually shook hands and ended the contest before the scheduled close of play.
Gavaskar questioned whether young bowlers can develop the ability to take 20 wickets in a Test if domestic matches do not regularly require them to bowl in two innings.
He argued that taking wickets in the second innings requires a different level of physical and mental preparation. Bowlers may already have spent several days working under pressure, and they need the stamina and concentration to continue attacking when conditions become difficult.
The former India captain compared the development of bowlers to that of batters. Just as batters need time and experience to progress from making 20 or 30 runs to scoring centuries, bowlers also need repeated opportunities to learn how to take wickets late in matches.
Gavaskar said the first-class level is the ideal environment for players to develop this experience. However, when teams are satisfied with a first-innings advantage, bowlers may lose valuable opportunities to practise bowling out an opposition in the second innings.
The format of domestic competitions such as the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy has been debated for years. Teams have sometimes focused on building huge first-innings totals, particularly when a lead can be enough to secure a result. While such an approach can protect teams from defeat, critics argue that it may reduce the intensity and competitiveness of certain matches.
India’s Test performances have also highlighted the importance of developing bowlers capable of taking wickets on good batting surfaces. In the second Test against Sri Lanka, India struggled to claim the final four wickets on the last day.
Gavaskar’s remarks therefore point to a broader issue in Indian cricket: whether domestic competitions are adequately preparing players for the demands of international Test cricket.
With India currently placed fifth in the World Test Championship standings, the former captain believes domestic cricket must provide bowlers with enough opportunities to experience the pressure of winning matches through 20 wickets.
His comments have once again put the spotlight on the structure of Indian first-class cricket and whether changes are needed to ensure that domestic matches better prepare players for the longest format at the international level.
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