Syed Kirmani says Ten-10 format could be the future of cricket

Syed Kirmani predicts the game to get even shorter in the coming years

Former Indian cricketer Syed Kirmani said that Ten-10 format could be the future of cricket, NDTV Sports reports. The maverick wicketkeeper batsman also voiced his approval for the recent developments in the game like the introduction of technology and the addition of specialists to the coaching staff.

Kirmani said that along with the Test, ODI and T20 format, Ten-10 format could be a very interesting addition and could make the game even more exciting.

"These three formats (Test, ODI and T20) will grow eternally and there could be another format coming up very soon in the form of T10 which will be more interesting. There is a lot of glamour which has come in and a lot of commercialisation has come into the game which is good,” he said.

Kirmani recalled how, in the beginning, only Test matches had prominence and it was only in the mid-1970s that a 60-over format was introduced, followed by the 50-over ODI format and the relatively new T20 Format. He said there was more emphasis on winning nowadays and felt that it was a good sign.

"The new trend is result-oriented. It does not matter whether you have your batting technique, your fielding technique or your wicketkeeping technique or bowling technique. The emphasis is on results, which is a good sign," Kirmani stated.

However, being an old-timer, Kirmani is not undermining the importance of proper technique.

“I am an old school of thought. With a proper copybook technique, you are appreciated much better than without technique. With proper technique, you tend to last longer and appreciated much better than those who do not have a technique," he said.

Cricket has changed for good: Kirmani

The 65-year old former recalled how things have changed drastically in cricket from his cricketing days. He feels the coaching staff, in addition to the supporting staff have a major role to play in the development of a cricketer in the present times.

"I think there have been sweeping changes, right from my era to current era, sweeping changes. In Hindi, there is a saying 'Zameen asman ka farakh' (heaven and earth difference)," Kirmani said. "We never had a coach. We never had any support staff. We never had information technology. We learnt ourselves by looking into the negatives of the opposition or the players. We corrected ourselves. We applied our mind into it. Whereas, the current era of cricketers are having the benefit of the 11 support staff in the form of a bowling coach, batting coach, fielding coach, mentor, trainer, adaptor, video analyst etc. It's a good welcome change. You have to go according to the wind, according to the new ideas and new formats", he concluded.