Aakash Chopra believes the World Test Championship needs some important changes to become more competitive and meaningful. The former India cricketer feels the WTC has given Test cricket a clear purpose, but he believes the two-year format still has room for improvement.

Chopra recently shared six suggestions on his YouTube channel. His ideas include a two-tier Test system, equal matches for all teams, a minimum number of overs, more pink-ball Tests, every team playing each other, and a three-Test WTC Final.

But one key question remains: if these changes could make the WTC better, why are they not already part of the tournament?

There are several practical and commercial reasons.

Aakash Chopra Six Suggestions for the WTC

Here are the six solutions Aakash Chopra gave:

NOTE: Aakash Chopra shared these views in Hindi, and the quotes in this article have been translated into English.

Introduce a Two-Tier Test System

Chopra’s biggest idea is to split the Test-playing nations into two tiers. Teams could move between the two levels based on their performances.

He wants the stronger teams to play in the top tier, while the lower-ranked teams would compete in the second tier. The weakest teams from the top tier would be relegated, while the best teams from the second tier would earn promotion.

He suggested six teams in each tier, but also mentioned a seven-five split.

This system would make poor performances more costly.

“If you don’t play well, you need to bear the consequences.”

Chopra believes the current WTC can sometimes produce one-sided matches because weaker teams continue to play stronger teams without the fear of direct relegation.

He feels promotion and relegation could make every match more important.

Every Series Should Have at Least Three Tests and Teams Should Play Equal Matches

Aakash Chopra wants every WTC series to have at least three Tests. He also wants all teams to play the same number of matches in each WTC cycle.

His concern is that teams currently play different numbers of Tests, which can make comparisons less fair.

“Every team should actually get to play an equal number of games.”

He also highlighted the difference between two-Test and five-Test series. A team can win 2-0 in a two-Test series and get 100% points, while losses in a five-Test series can have a bigger impact.

Chopra wants every win to carry equal value.

Introduce a Minimum Number of Overs

Aakash Chopra also wants the WTC to set a minimum number of overs for every Test.

He suggested that teams should complete around 450 overs. If rain, bad light or another interruption prevents this within five days, the match could continue into a sixth day.

“If 450 overs are not completed, extend it to the sixth day.”

Chopra believes this could protect teams from losing valuable chances because of weather. A win or draw can greatly affect a team’s points percentage, making every WTC Test important.

You can check the latest WTC Rankings HERE

Make Pink-Ball Tests More Consistent

Aakash Chopra also questioned why teams use pink-ball Tests at different rates.

Some countries regularly play day-night Tests because they can bring more fans to the stadium and attract better television audiences. Other teams rarely play them.

Chopra wants the ICC to create a clear rule.

“If you want to have pink-ball Tests, then have them. Otherwise, don’t.”

He suggested having at least one pink-ball Test in every series.

His point is simple. If day-night Tests can provide commercial benefits, teams should not use them only when it suits them.

Every Team Should Play Every Other Team

Chopra’s fifth idea is that every WTC team should play every other team during the cycle.

He said this does not necessarily mean India and Pakistan must resume bilateral cricket. However, since the WTC is an ICC competition, he believes they should play if the tournament schedule puts them against each other.

“Because this is an ICC event, if you come up against each other, you have to play.”

The games could be held at neutral venues. This would help create a more balanced WTC schedule.

Make the WTC Final a Three-Test Series

Chopra’s final idea is to turn the one-off WTC Final into a three-Test series. He also wants the team finishing first in the league stage to get home advantage.

“If you remain No. 1 after two years, you deserve some benefit.”

Under his plan, the top-ranked team would host the second-ranked team in the final. Chopra feels this would reward the best team from the two-year cycle. He also believes three Tests would better suit the format.

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So Why Aren’t These Changes Happening?

Chopra’s ideas may make sense from a sporting view, but the WTC also depends on broadcasting, bilateral schedules, finances, venues, player workload and the commercial realities of international cricket. 

Why a Two-Tier System Could Be Difficult

The biggest problem with promotion and relegation is that a major team could drop out of the top tier.

For example, India, Australia or England could have a poor WTC cycle and get relegated. This could make the competition more exciting, but it could also create a big commercial problem.

These three teams have some of the biggest Test cricket audiences. Their matches attract huge global interest and bring strong value for broadcasters.

The Ashes is an even bigger example. If Australia or England move to different tiers, the traditional five-Test series could leave the WTC structure.

So, should the WTC sacrifice major commercial matches for more competition?

Why Three-Test Series Everywhere May Not Be Practical

Chopra’s idea of making every series at least three Tests sounds fair. However, not every Test series gets the same level of interest.

A three-Test series between India and Australia could attract huge audiences. But a series between Bangladesh and West Indies may not get the same attention. Matches between lower-ranked teams could also face this issue.

Some series can become one-sided when a stronger team faces a weaker side. If fans are not interested, broadcasters may not want to spend as much money.

Longer series also need more time, venues, production costs, and player availability.

Why a Minimum Number of Overs Is Difficult

Chopra’s 450-over idea also has one major problem: weather cannot be controlled.

Rain and bad light can stop Tests, especially in England and New Zealand.

Adding a sixth day may sound simple, but it could affect stadium operations, broadcast deals, travel, hotels and security.

It could also affect the next Test. If teams play again soon, an extra day would reduce player recovery time.

The ICC would need major changes to the international schedule.

Why Pink-Ball Tests Cannot Simply Be Mandatory

Pink-ball Tests can bring commercial benefits, but local conditions also matter.

The pink ball behaves differently from the red ball, especially in the evening. Dew, visibility, pitch conditions and ball condition can affect the game.

Countries also have different reasons for using day-night Tests. Australia has built a strong tradition around the Adelaide Test, while other countries may not have the same demand.

Making one pink-ball Test compulsory in every series could be difficult for different cricket markets.

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Why Every Team Cannot Easily Play Every Other Team

This could be the biggest scheduling problem.

If every team must play every other team, the number of Tests in a WTC cycle would increase.

International cricket already has bilateral series, domestic leagues, ICC tournaments and limited time for Tests.

Political and logistical issues would also make things harder. India and Pakistan are the clearest example. Their political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket for years.

Forcing them to play would create issues beyond cricket. Neutral venues could help, but they would bring extra costs and scheduling problems.

Why the WTC Final Is Still One Test

A three-Test final could give fans a better contest, but it would need more time and money.

The WTC Final is currently played at a neutral venue. Adding two Tests would mean extra stadium days, broadcast costs, travel, accommodation and player availability.

There is also a commercial reason to keep the final as one match. A one-Test final creates one big event that the ICC can market easily. A three-Test final would spread the attention over several weeks.

It would also make the international calendar busier. Giving the top team home advantage could create more issues, as broadcasters and sponsors would face different conditions each cycle.

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Conclusion

Aakash Chopra’s six proposals highlight some real issues in the current WTC rules.

A two-tier system could make the competition more competitive. Equal matches could make the points system fairer. A minimum-over rule could help teams avoid losing playing time because of weather. Regular pink-ball Tests could also bring more commercial value to Test cricket.

Making every team play each other could create a more balanced championship, while a three-Test final could give fans a better ending.

However, the World Test Championship must balance sporting fairness with the commercial realities of modern test cricket.

Big teams bring bigger audiences, while the busy calendar makes major changes difficult.

Do you think the ICC should adopt Chopra’s six changes for greater sporting fairness, despite losing key matchups and flexibility? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 

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