Chennai: Little Master Sunil Gavaskar has once again stressed on the importance of Test cricket while speaking at the inaugural annual MAK Pataudi lecture in honour of former India captain, Nawab of Pataudi.

Gavaskar urged that to promote the longer format of the game, sporty wickets were must as it can not only give results, but also some competitive cricket. “Pitches should give equal opportunity to both the bowlers and batsman. Test cricket should be given much more importance so that we can get better quality of players who can set up a great example for aspirants,” he said, adding that Test cricket was the pinnacle of the game.

“20 overs and 50 overs cricket might be good for making the game global but essence of real cricket lies in Test cricket and we should not let it die. I still believe that Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game. I think it is, as all the players here would readily acknowledge, that tests the character of a player. Test cricket separates men from boys. It tests the courage and temperament of the cricketer,” added Gavaskar.

Gavaskar said the onus was on the administrators to retain the primacy of Test cricket. "And that is what the administrators also need to make sure. Particularly the major countries, the 10 Test-playing countries," he added.

Meanwhile, remembering Pataudi, Gavaskar said he liberated the Indian cricket by bringing the element of aggression in the side, which would take beating from any team hands down. Gavaskar said the credit for the transformation in the Indian cricket goes to Pataudi.

"He liberated the Indian cricket. He changed the outlook. He charged up to the spinners, lofting the bowlers over the field. Only CK Naidu and Lala Amaranth used to do it but after them it was Pataudi. He made things happen rather than wait for things to happen," Gavaskar said.