Ravi Shastri proposes cutting Test playing nation down to six

Seeing the success of the T20I format, everyone understood that the world of cricket needs innovation to keep the fans engaged.

The first format to come under fire was Tests which saw a huge decrease in viewership at that time. The International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced the concept of the World Test Championship, which brought a new outlook towards the longest format of the game.

The ICC proposed a new schedule for the upcoming cycle of cricket, which prompted a lot of negative responses from current players and former ambassadors of the game.

The situation became much worse when England Test captain Ben Stokes took retirement from the One-Day International format. The all-rounder claimed that it wasn't "sustainable" to play all three formats as he needs to look after his body as well.

Many have claimed that the ICC needs to do a better job in terms of taking care of players and Ravi Shastri is the latest to join the conversation.

In an interview, Ravi Shastri proposed the idea of reducing the Test playing nations to increase the quality of the overall format.

"In order to save test cricket in future ICC should prefer quality. You have to cut down test playing nations to six because 12 test playing nations cannot produce quality test cricket," said former Indian Head Coach.

Earlier this month, Wasim Akram proposed the concept of scrapping the ODI format altogether and said that the format has become "a drag now."

"T20 is kind of easier, four hours the game is over. The leagues all around the world, there is a lot more money - I suppose this is part and parcel of modern cricket. T20 or Test cricket. One-day cricket is kind of dying," said a former pacer.