India, Australia, and England are reportedly in advanced discussions to introduce a two-tier structure for Test cricket, with the "big three" nations playing each other more frequently in high-profile series.
The proposal is gaining significant momentum, fueled by record crowds for the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which saw an attendance of 837,879 spectators.
With a large following in these countries, the idea is now being seriously considered by the International Cricket Council (ICC), led by chairman Jay Shah.
A meeting is scheduled later this month with Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird and England Cricket Board chairman Richard Thompson to discuss the implementation of the two-tier structure.
This comes after growing calls for more "best versus best" encounters in Test cricket, a sentiment echoed by former India coach Ravi Shastri, who has long been critical of the current, overcrowded international schedule.
“I’ve been a firm believer in that if you want Test cricket to survive and be alive and thriving, I think that’s the way to go,” Shastri said on SEN during the SCG Test.
“The top teams play against each other more often, so there is a contest; you want contests.”
According to reports, the proposed top division of Test cricket would consist of seven teams: South Africa, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The second division would include West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.
This model, initially proposed in 2016, was met with resistance from smaller cricketing nations who feared losing their status as Test-playing countries.
Back then, the plan was dropped, largely due to opposition from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
In 2016, former BCCI president Anurag Thakur had dismissed the idea, stating, "The BCCI is against the two-tier Test system because the smaller countries will lose out and the BCCI wants to take care of them."
“It is necessary to protect their interests," he had said.
Despite the earlier opposition, the growing popularity of Test cricket, particularly in countries with strong cricketing traditions, has revived the debate.
The success of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which showcased thrilling cricket and attracted massive crowds, is seen as a catalyst for discussions on how to elevate the status of the game.
