Shubman Gill Criticizes West Indies’ T20 Obsession for Decline in Cricket Standards

India Captain Emphasizes the Importance of a Strong Test Foundation

India’s Test captain Shubman Gill has attributed the decline of West Indies cricket to their growing obsession with T20 leagues and the lure of franchise cricket. Once a dominant force in world cricket during the 1980s and 1990s, the West Indies have struggled to maintain their past glory, particularly in the longer format of the game.

Speaking ahead of the second Test against the West Indies in New Delhi, Gill underscored that a strong Test cricket foundation is essential for overall success in all formats, rather than the other way around.

“TEST CRICKET BUILDS THE BASE,” SAYS GILL

When asked about the long-debated two-tier Test system, Gill refrained from giving a direct opinion, calling it an ICC matter. However, he stressed that countries with a solid red-ball structure naturally perform better in white-ball formats.

> “I think it’s the ICC’s decision whether there should be a two-tier system or not. But I feel that if a country’s red-ball base is strong, it automatically reflects in their ODI and T20 performances,” Gill said at the pre-match press conference.

> “If you look at teams like England and Australia, their strong Test setups have helped them succeed across formats.”

WEST INDIES’ STRUGGLES LINKED TO T20 FOCUS

Gill subtly pointed to the West Indies’ shifting focus towards T20 cricket and global leagues, which he believes has weakened their foundation.

> “Maybe their players’ focus is more on T20s and franchise leagues. When that happens, the base of where the game began the red-ball format gets neglected. That’s where the decline starts for any cricketing nation,” he explained.

The Caribbean side, once revered for its fierce fast bowlers and legendary batting line-ups, has suffered a noticeable dip in performance since the rise of global T20 leagues. Many of their top players now prioritize freelance T20 contracts over national duty, especially in Tests.

INDIA’S APPROACH: STRENGTHENING THE CORE

Gill also praised Indian cricket’s structured approach and emphasis on maintaining a robust Test culture. He credited the BCCI’s initiatives, such as the Test Cricket Incentive Scheme, for encouraging players to value the longest format.

The scheme, introduced in March 2024 by then BCCI secretary Jay Shah, rewards consistency in Test appearances. Players participating in more than 75% of Tests in a season receive an additional ₹45 lakh per match, while reserves earn ₹22.5 lakh per game as a bonus to the standard match fee of ₹15 lakh.

> “We’re very conscious about preserving the value of Test cricket. When your base is strong in the red-ball format, it naturally leads to stronger ODI and T20 teams. That’s why it’s important to build from the foundation,” Gill added.

INDIA LEAD THE SERIES

India recently defeated West Indies by an innings and 140 runs in the first Test at Ahmedabad. The second and final Test is set to begin on Friday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, where Gill and his team will look to seal a clean sweep.