Ask any cricket fanatic about T20 and he will look at your face in disgust. True cricket fanatics argue that real cricket requires technique, a sense of the game and most of all long spells of concentration, all hallmarks of the Test match format. The T20 game on the other hand is a short, aggressive fiery version of the gentleman’s game.
However, in this article we will argue against the general dispute. We will argue that T20s have in fact made cricket and cricket players better than ever before.
“T20 breeds critical thinkers” – Gordan Greenidge
The West Indian opener believes that the unpredictable nature of T20 forces players to rethink their strategies during the game. This develops cognitive skills which are important for players to adapt to different situations.
T20 is more fun to watch for the layman
Test cricket has been known to the called the “Gentlemen’s game” and so, with the exception of a few individuals, has primarily been played by gentlemen. Watching a Test match is only interesting if you are a cricket fanatic. The 90 odd overs during which the batsman only scores a handful of shots is sight to behold only for those who enjoy the game. For the average fan, the fast pace of T20s have become the standard for entertainment in cricket.
A T20 match lasts only for half a day
A T20 match lasts at most for 6 to 7 hours. This means that fans can easily take out the time to watch the match without having to make too many adjustments in their daily lives. On the other hand, the Test format lasts for 5 days. This is a deterrent for people who want to enjoy cricket for a short while rather than for 5 days.