From correspondents in Maharashtra, India, 11:32 PM IST

Twenty20 - the shortest version of cricket - is the future of the game and India must gear up to include it in its domestic fixtures, chief selector Dilip Vensarkar said here Thursday.

'Tests and ODIs have become monotonous. Only Twenty20 can give excitement to people who can watch the game in the evenings for three hours and then go home,' he maintained.

'With the first Twenty20 World Cup to be hosted by South Africa this year, we in India need to promote this short version of the game in domestic cricket,' Vensarkar told reporters at the announcement of the five-city cricket tournament for juniors.

'Globally, the version is gaining popularity even in the non-Test playing nations. It has all the ingredients of good and exciting cricket,' he said, brushing aside criticism that the version may affect the quality of the game.

'It is an exciting proposition for all first class cricketers. To promote the game, we are going to organise a Twenty20 tournament in India before the World Cup (in South Africa). It will be good for the Indian squad,' Vensarkar contended.

'All the Test-playing countries have Twenty20 tournaments in their cricketing itinerary. We too have to catch up with this trend soon,' he said.

The former India captain also stressed the need for Test and ODI players to take part in all domestic fixtures.

The Baskin Robins Junior Cricket 7s Tournament is a seven-a-side championship with seven overs being bowled in an innings of half-hour duration each. There will also be restrictions on the bowler's run up and the positioning of the wicketkeeper.

Restricted to boys under the age of 17, the championship will feature 132 teams playing 171 matches Jan 15-Feb 13 across Hyderabad, Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune.

The final will be played at the Mumbai Police Gymkhana Feb 13.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)