Ravi Shastri’s Bold Vision: Shifting WTC Finals Beyond Lord’s to Mega Arenas
The World Test Championship Final, still in its foundational years, is rapidly cementing its place as the pinnacle event in Test cricket. As this prestigious tournament garners increasing global attention, passionate discussions are emerging about its ideal long-term home. Weighing in on this crucial debate, former India head coach and revered cricket commentator, Ravi Shastri, has offered a compelling perspective on where the format’s ultimate showdown should ultimately find its stride.
England: The WTC’s Formative Stage
For its initial installments, England has served as the chosen stage for the WTC Final. The inaugural battle in 2021 saw Kane Williamson’s New Zealand triumph over Virat Kohli’s India at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. More recently, in 2023, the iconic Oval in London hosted Australia’s commanding victory over India, securing them the coveted Test mace. Shastri acknowledges this foundational role, stating, “I think to start off initially, it’s good if it’s here (Lord’s) actually.” He recognizes England’s deep-rooted cricketing culture and its proven ability to draw in dedicated fans for the longest format, creating a neutral yet vibrant atmosphere essential for a championship encounter.
The Call for Colossal Venues: Ahmedabad and Melbourne
However, Shastri’s vision extends far beyond England’s traditional boundaries. He passionately advocates for a future where the WTC Final migrates to cricketing coliseums capable of hosting truly immense crowds. “Once it gets the popularity and eyeballs it deserves, then it can start shifting,” he asserted during a Wisden Cricket podcast. His prime candidates for this grand evolution are the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India—recognized as the world’s largest cricket venue—and the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Australia. These architectural marvels, with their staggering capacities, represent the ultimate aspiration for the WTC Final’s global reach and spectacle.
Lord’s Charm vs. Capacity Imperative
The crux of Shastri’s argument hinges on the sheer scale of potential fan engagement. While Lord’s, often revered as the “Mecca of Cricket,” holds unparalleled historical significance and quintessential charm, its capacity limitations are undeniable for a growing global event. “Lord’s is not a 100,000-seater stadium,” Shastri pointed out with emphasis. This distinction highlights the implicit contrast with venues like the Narendra Modi Stadium or the MCG, where attendance figures could potentially shatter records, regardless of which teams are competing. For a championship striving for unparalleled global recognition, drawing a massive, live audience is paramount to solidifying its status.
ICC’s Present Path: A Lean Towards Continuity
Despite Shastri’s expansive, forward-looking vision, current indications suggest that the International Cricket Council (ICC) might favor continuity for the immediate future. Recent reports hint that England could remain the preferred host for the next two WTC cycles, potentially staging the finals in 2029 and 2031. Furthermore, the ICC’s Future Tours Program (FTP) currently earmarks Lord’s as the venue for the 2027 WTC Final. This suggests that while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly put forth a strong bid to host the 2027 event, England’s consistent support for neutral Test matches has seemingly won out for the time being.
Balancing Legacy with Global Ambition
The evolving debate around the World Test Championship Final’s venue encapsulates a fascinating tension: honouring the rich heritage of Test cricket and its spiritual homes versus aggressively pursuing new frontiers of growth and unparalleled fan engagement. Ravi Shastri’s insightful comments illuminate a strategic pathway—one where the WTC Final, once firmly established in the global consciousness, can leverage the immense scale of venues like Ahmedabad and Melbourne to truly become a monumental spectacle, drawing crowds that perfectly match its accelerating stature. It presents a compelling and exciting future for the ultimate showdown in the timeless format of the game.
