Ashwin Backs Kohli’s ‘5 Test Centres’ Proposal, Urges BCCI to Align Matches Within India’s Map

Ravichandran Ashwin references Virat Kohli’s six-year-old statement to advocate for fixed Test centres across India.

Ashwin Advocates for Standard Test Centres in India

It was October 2019 when then-India captain Virat Kohli suggested having just five Test centres in the country. Six years later, a unified approach remains elusive, as the BCCI juggles the interests of all state associations. Amid discussions about low attendance during the recent two-Test series against the West Indies, Ravichandran Ashwin has reignited the conversation on the need for standard Test venues.

The series, played in Ahmedabad and Delhi, saw a lacklustre crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium, while the Arun Jaitley Stadium drew decent weekend attendance.

Ashwin believes establishing standard Test centres would benefit players by familiarizing them with consistent conditions, rather than focusing solely on crowds. “Test centres are not about crowds alone. It is also about familiarity of conditions. If we are playing a Test in Guwahati or Ranchi, I am not opposed to these venues as possibilities. But the problem in India is that every surface has a different identity. There is literally no bounce in the Eastern part of the country. It becomes a very ordinary Test match pitch then,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.

He added, “Make sure whichever Test centre you decide has the best pitches. Some venues are better than others only because the pitches are better and the team is used to the conditions. That is a home advantage. Otherwise, the only point is that you are playing within that Indian map and it is referred to as home, but it is not home.”

Ashwin agrees with Virat

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired from international cricket in December 2024, has raised concerns over Guwahati hosting the upcoming Test between India and South Africa. He questioned whether players, even from the home side, would be familiar with the conditions.

“Eden Gardens, Guwahati – playing against South Africa there, should there be standard Test centres? Virat said years ago that they must be fixed. I personally think it’s about time. Why did we make Test centres? So more cricketers could emerge, and their associations would get more funding,” Ashwin said. “But Guwahati as a Test match is not a home game for either team, and I don’t think anyone in the Indian team has played a first-class game in Guwahati,” added the 106-Test veteran.

India, having secured a 2-0 series win over the West Indies, strengthened their position at third in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 cycle. The series against South Africa is set to begin on November 14.

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