South Africa's shift in priorities from international to franchise cricket meant no space for a third and deciding Test, with the second edition of the SA20 looming
AB de Villiers, the ex-South Africa captain, has taken aim at cricket's decision-makers for the India Test series being limited to just two matches.
Priority in the season is being given to the second edition of the SA20, which has led to a second-string squad travelling to New Zealand for the Test series at the back end of the competition.
The Proteas men are only scheduled to play 28 Tests as part of the 2023-27 Future Tours Programme.
After South Africa won the first Test at Centurion, India prevailed in double-quick time at Newlands to see the series drawn 1-1 - leaving de Villiers deflated by the absence of a decider.
India secured a series draw after an emphatic win at Newlands (Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
"I am very upset about the fact we did not get a third Test. Once again you have to blame T20 cricket around the world, the ICC, the scheduling," he said on his 360 YouTube channel.
"I do not know whom to blame, all I know is something is not right. If you want to see more Test cricket then something is going to have to change. There will be enough cricket between India, Australia and England I can tell you that. But if you want to see all the teams in the world competing to see who is the best Test team in the world then something will have to change.
"Let's see what they come up with. They are under pressure, they know they are and we'll wait and see what happens with that one."
Only five nations - England (43), Australia (40), India (38), Bangladesh (34) and New Zealand (32) - are scheduled to play more than 30 Tests during the ongoing cycle, but de Villiers believes the format is safe for now.
de Villiers believes youngsters remain interested in Test cricket (WIKUS DE WET/AFP via Getty Images)
In fact, after a Cricket World Cup which he described as lacking "excitement" and "atmosphere" it is one-day internationals which he warns are most under threat.
"I think Test cricket still has a bright future," de Villiers, who scored over 20,000 all-format runs for South Africa, added.
"I think there are still enough people around the world who want to watch it, want to play it and it is the ultimate form of the game. When I watch cricket on television I want to watch every ball of a series.
"I know the ICC have a bit of work and admin on their plates to fix this. Maybe the ODI format will change? I do feel ODIs are under more pressure than Test cricket. I just want the game to be healthy, to be strong and for youngsters to dream and want to be superstars one day."
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