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New Delhi: The BCCI's decision to play more Tests has been prompted by India's No.1 ranking and also by Sachin Tendulkar expressing his concern about the future of the longest format to the board.
The Mumbai master's push strengthens the hand of BCCI chief Shashank Manohar who wants India to defend its number 1 ranking. Tendulkar is understood to have made the point that there is spectator demand for Test cricket that offers quality games.
The keenly contested series with South Africa where Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag demonstrated their class - with the Proteas also proving a class opposition - underscores the point.
Sources said Tendulkar has expressed his views to the Board which tends to take the batting legend very seriously indeed. Tendulkar's quiet influence is to be felt in the team itself where he has created an "elder statesman" slot after Mahendra Singh Dhoni's advent as captain. His rapport with juniors adds weight to his arguments.
It is being felt that Tendulkar may well withdraw himself from even ODIs after the next World Cup which is to be held in the sub-continent.
