‘BCCI hasn’t marketed Tests well’

NEW DELHI : The BCCI may have created the popular and successful IPL but the Indian board has not done “enough” to market Test cricket, said former India opener Gautam Gambhir. The two-time World Cup winner put forth his point in the presence of COA chief Vinod Rai and CEO Rahul Johri.

“I don’t think BCCI has marketed Test cricket as well as they have done with ODIS and T20s. I remember a Test match at Eden Gardens against West Indies (in 2011). India batting on the first day and there were 1000 people,” Gambhir said.

“Imagine Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman playing and there are only 1000 people,” he said during the launch of cricket historian Boria Majumdar’s book ‘Eleven Gods and Billion Indians’.

Harbhajan Singh felt Tests should be taken to Tier-2 cities but Gambhir said it was hardly a solution. “I don’t know but they have messed it somewhere. May be cut down on T20s and ODIS.” Gambhir also felt that playing white-ball cricket before Test matches will be of little help.

RAJPUT IS ZIM COACH

MUMBAI: Former India coach Lalchand Rajput was on Thursday appointed interim head coach of the Zimbabwe cricket team.

Rajput replaced former Zimbabwe pacer Heath Streak, who was sacked in March after the team failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup. “They contacted me yesterday. It is a good opportunity for me to take Zimbabwe cricket ahead,” Rajput said.

Zimbabwe Cricket tweeted: “ZC has named Lalchand Rajput as interim head coach. The former India cricketer is a vastly experienced coach.”