Critics of rank turners notwithstanding — and to be fair, the pitch at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium is just that — the India vs South Africa Test match at Mohali is a highly exciting one.

Twenty-two wickets have fallen over two days and there will be plenty more today, unless both sides come up with something incredible on a dusty surface. To some, this is the kind of Test cricket that will attract huge crowds. But where are the crowds? Test matches at Mohali have never enjoyed massive turn-outs, but low turn-outs have afflicted other venues in India as well. Unless host associations and the BCCI come up with a good effort to attract crowds, Test cricket will still be played in front of empty stands.