Describing the ICC as an “event management company”, former Australia captain Ian Chappell has observed that the financially stronger boards are getting their way in producing self-serving schedule while harming the interest of Test cricket. Chappell also felt that a viable two-tier system for Test cricket should have been in place by now but added that there are other pressing matters that need urgent attention to keep the game’s traditional format relevant. “On the subject of a two-tier Test system, former West Indies pace-bowling champion Michael Holding noted: ‘For all its faults, at least FIFA actually runs soccer. The ICC must run cricket’,” Chappell wrote in his column for ‘ESPNcricinfo’.

“Therein lies a perplexing problem. The ICC doesn’t run cricket, and unless there’s a major change of heart, the financially desirable nations will continue to have a huge say in producing a self-serving schedule.” Chappell though agreed that the game’s financial engine India’s influence is proportional to their contribution.

“Then there’s the major issue of the financial split. The big three — India, Australia and England — despite being the wealthiest cricket nations claim a large slice of the money divided among cricket bodies, and yet they agitate for an even larger share.

“India’s powerful presence in the ICC is in direct proportion to their contribution of around 70% of cricket’s income. It’s a complex issue to which cricket hasn’t found a workable solution.” A proposal to split Test cricket into two divisions, which will ensure more high-stakes matches featuring bigger teams such as India, Australia and England, is under discussion.

Such a system could, however, also harm smaller teams, resulting in fewer Tests for them and also threatening inclusivity in the sport.

Chappell, one of Australia’s finest captains, believed a system of promotion and relegation should be there with certain criteria.

“There should have been a two-tier Test system in place years ago.

“In reality only a limited number of teams are capable of competing long-term in the five-day game. West Indies earned the right to financial assistance with their capacity to draw crowds, and it’s criminal they’ve been allowed to languish,” he said.

Chappell further stated Afghanistan and Ireland should not be laying Test cricket as they don’t fulfil all requirements.

“A system that includes promotion and relegation is feasible but there need to be certain criteria attached before a team attains Test status. Those should include: Do they have a viable first-class competition? Do they have legitimate grounds for holding five-day games? Do the grounds have adequate facilities? Are they financially stable? “If a team meets those criteria — and maintains a high standard of play over a number of years — then promotion to Test status would be legitimate. However, most of the recent Test-appointed nations don’t come close to meeting any reasonable criteria.

“For instance, could Afghanistan hold a Test series in their strife-torn country? Does Ireland have a realistic number of Test-standard grounds? “Even setting aside the Taliban’s reprehensible treatment of women, the answer to those questions is: absolutely not. Then why do they have Test status?” Chappell added, “Because in return for Test status they provide valuable ICC votes on important issues. The ICC is widely regarded as an event management company. They should add ‘and not a very good one’.” Chappell agreed that it’s not easy for smaller cricketing nations to organise first-class matches at home because of the costs involved, which is pushing them more towards the T20 game.

“Producing a player who performs well in Test cricket requires having a strong four-day competition. It’s extremely expensive to run a four-day competition.

“It’s one reason why T20 cricket flourishes. Running a successful T20 competition improves the financial capacity of a cricket body.

“This, along with running a successful T20 competition being vastly more acceptable than losing money on a first-class schedule, dominates the thinking of most cricket administrators.

“Cricket being run by a competent ICC is a pipe dream. Hence the growing T20 calendar and the current scheduling schemozzle that plagues the game.” Chappell cited the exampled of warm reception following Sam Konstas’ daring Test debut against India at the MCG.

“It’s reaching the point where fans attending Tests expect to see more T20-style shots played. Despite the uncertain viability of these shots in a Test, the enthusiastic reaction to Sam Konstas’ daring debut at the MCG suggests this is already happening.

“There’s been a large increase in Test match results and more acceptable pitches, highlighting the importance of bowlers in producing a good spectacle. There’s also greater emphasis on playing entertaining cricket.

“Despite facing various challenges, Test cricket does a creditable job of keeping the format relevant.” He added, “Nevertheless, unless some issues, including a reasonable schedule and the criminally slow speed of play (which creates notoriously poor over rates) are critically addressed, Test cricket will struggle to attract younger audiences.

“Cricket administration is difficult. However, in addition to producing a viable two-tier system, there are other pressing matters that need urgent attention if Test cricket is to improve its relevance in the wider sporting world.”

Former Australia cricketer Greg Chappell, whose stint as Indian cricket team coach was controversial, believes that for the modern greats of cricket like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root, the end will come, but not when others tell them, but when they know. Chappell also reflected on the inevitable decline of elite batsmen and how it manifests in the careers of modern greats like Kohli, Smith, and Root. Chappell examines the phenomenon he calls “Elite Performance Decline Syndrome” (EPDS), offering a rare glimpse into the mental and physical battles faced by cricketers in the twilight of their careers.

Chappell begins by observing how decline, while gradual, is unmistakable. Even the best players—those who once dominated with flair and certainty—start to show signs of hesitation. “For players like Kohli, Smith, and Root, the decline isn’t dramatic,” Chappell wrote in an opinion piece for The Sydney Morning Herald. “It’s subtle—a shift in approach, a caution that replaces the instinctive dominance of their prime.”

“For Kohli, Smith, and Root, the end will come—not when others tell them, but when they know,” Chappell writes. “The battle against time is not about winning; it’s about finishing with dignity, on their own terms.”

Kohli, who once intimidated bowlers with his commanding starts, has begun to exhibit a cautious approach. “He now builds his innings differently, often needing 20 or 30 runs to regain the fluency that once came naturally,” Chappell notes.

This hesitancy, Chappell argueed, is emblematic of EPDS. Kohli’s instinctive aggression, tempered by the weight of expectations and the fear of failure, has made him more risk-averse. “Confidence is everything for an elite athlete,” Chappell writes. “When doubt creeps in, it disrupts the clarity required to dominate. Kohli’s internal battle is clear—his desire to attack versus his cautious approach to survival.”

Steve Smith, known for his unorthodox brilliance and extraordinary ability to grind out runs, is battling a different facet of EPDS. “Smith’s decline has been more mental than physical,” Chappell suggests.

The intense focus and meticulous preparation that defined Smith’s batting are harder to sustain as time goes on. “Fatigue—both mental and physical—is a silent enemy,” Chappell writes. “For Smith, maintaining that razor-sharp focus over long innings has become increasingly challenging. The weight of expectations, from fans and teammates alike, only adds to the emotional toll.”

For Joe Root, the battle is as much about mindset as it is about form. Root’s graceful stroke play and ability to adapt to any situation have remained hallmarks of his game. However, Chappell notes a subtle shift in his intent. “Root’s ability to dominate spinners and pace alike is still there, but his willingness to take risks has diminished,” Chappell observes.

Root’s challenge lies in rekindling the joy of batting, something that often fades under the weight of responsibility. “The hardest thing isn’t the bowler at the other end,” Chappell writes. “It’s the silence in your own head when you know you’re not the player you once were.”

Chappell delved into the scientific underpinnings of EPDS, explaining how ageing impacts both the mind and body. “These changes are inevitable,” Chappell writes. “The challenge is how players like Kohli, Smith, and Root adapt to them.”

For players from cricket-mad nations like India, Australia, and England, the pressures of decline are magnified by public scrutiny. Chappell highlighted how every slump in form is dissected by fans and pundits, adding to the mental burden.

“These players are not just fighting their own battles,” Chappell writes. “They’re carrying the weight of millions of fans who demand perfection.” He recalls Sunil Gavaskar’s words: “The hardest part of batting is knowing you aren’t what you were.”

Despite the challenges, Chappell believed that great players find ways to adapt. He points to Kohli’s recent performances, where after cautious starts, he rediscovered his rhythm and delivered match-winning innings. Similarly, Smith’s ability to grind through tough conditions and Root’s adaptability to different formats are testaments to their resilience.

“Reaching 20 or 30 runs acts as a psychological turning point,” Chappell writes. “It’s a moment where the rhythm of their younger selves resurfaces, reminding them—and us—why they’re among the greatest of all time.”

Chappell concluded by reflecting on his own career and the emotional struggle of letting go. In his final Test at the SCG, he summoned the mental focus of his younger self to score a century, a fitting end to his journey.

Chappell also urged fans to celebrate these players not just for their peak performances but for their resilience in the face of decline.

“Greatness isn’t just about what they achieve in their prime. It’s about how they adapt, endure, and finish. Kohli, Smith, and Root are writing the final chapters of their stories, and we should honour their courage as much as their brilliance.”

Former Australia Test captain Ian Chappell believes if the Indian batters try to go over the top with their shots in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, then they will be found out by extra bounce in the conditions during the all-important series. India will reach the Australian shores after a disappointing 3-0 series defeat to New Zealand at home. The poor form of captain Rohit Sharma and talismanic batter Virat Kohli are among the visitors’ main concerns.

“India have got some batting problems. I think Jaiswal is a very good-looking young player, a left-hand opener, I think Gill can really play. But then you’ve got Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are both ageing, and you get to that point where people start talking about it and maybe it starts to creep into your head a little bit (where you think), ‘Am I getting to that age where it starts to go downhill?’, and they’re both at that age.”

“The only thing I’d say against that is they’re coming to Australia where the pitches are pretty good, but there’ll be the extra bounce and if they have gone over the top then the extra bounce will find them out,” said Chappell on Wide World of Sports’ Outside the Rope show.

India have won the past two-Test series in Australia by identical 2-1 margins in 2018/19 and 2020/21, respectively. Former Australia skipper Mark Taylor thinks that with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli not in great form, the pressure to make big runs is more on the young batters in the squad.

“They (India) have moved on Pujara and they’ve moved on Rahane, and they’ve left Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, their best two players, but all of a sudden they’ve had a bit of a rocky period… and that has put pressure now on the younger guys and also their lower-order. You still need to make the bulk of your runs from your best players, and over the last probably 12 or 18 months that hasn’t been the case for India.”

The 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy will see India and Australia play Test matches in Perth, Adelaide (pink-ball match), Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney from November 22 to January 7, 2025. It will also be the first five-match Test series between India and Australia since 1991/92.

File image of Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma.© AFP

Former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell said on Sunday that Rohit Sharma-led Team India must focus on ensuring the fitness of Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant for their upcoming matches. Rohit Sharma-led India clinched a massive 280-run win over Bangladesh in the first Test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. Currently, India leads the WTC standings . Their upcoming WTC series include New Zealand (three Tests at home), and Australia (five Tests away). In his column for ESPNcricinfo, Chappell said that India’s main goal should be to get more players into form.

“India’s main goal should be to get as many players into form as possible while avoiding major injuries. However, the focus must be on ensuring the fitness of Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant,” Chappell said.

The former cricketer added that Pant’s evolution from a questionable keeper against spinners to a skilled gloveman showed his dedication.

“A keeper who meets these demands not only enhances the team’s fielding but also allows slip fielders to spread wider and cover more ground. Before his serious injury, Pant’s ability to stand up to the stumps significantly improved after an ultimatum from Shastri. His evolution from a questionable keeper against spinners to a skilled gloveman at the stumps shows his dedication,” he added.

In the upcoming days, Australia will take on India in the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The most awaited Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will begin on November 22, with the first Test at Perth.

The second Test, scheduled for December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval, will feature the exciting day-night format under the stadium’s lights. After that, fans will turn their attention to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test, which will be held from December 14 to 18.

The customary Boxing Day Test, set for December 26 to 30 at Melbourne’s storied Melbourne Cricket Ground, will bring the series to its penultimate stage.

The fifth and final Test, to take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, will serve as the series climax, promising a dramatic conclusion to an exciting contest.

England cricket team skipper Ben Stokes© AFP