Team management specifically requested for an opener after Vijay Shankar's injury, clarifies MSK Prasad

Team management specifically requested for an opener after Vijay Shankar's injury, clarifies MSK Prasad

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BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad has clarified that Mayank Agarwal was sent to the World Cup as backup opener after KL Rahul had an injury scare, with Shikhar Dhawan already ruled out. With Dhawan back in full fitness, Agarwal was sent back into the waiting line for India’s tour of West Indies.

When Agarwal, a player who had only represented India in whites, was called up in place of the injured Vijay Shankar to the World Cup squad, it came as a surprise to one and all. However, the bigger shock came when the same lad was left out of the shorter formats for the upcoming tour of West Indies. Prasad, however, offered a clear clarification for both Rishabh Pant’s and Agarwal’s selection, which also led to Ambati Rayudu saying goodbye to the sport. 

"When Dhawan got injured, we already had a third opener in KL. We didn't have a left-hander at top so the team management had requested for a left-hander and we had no option other than Pant. It confused many why middle-order came in for opener. Again why an opener for Vijay Shankar,” Prasad was quoted as saying by IANS.

Regarding the further selection of Agarwal, he said: "When Shankar was injured, Rahul had a big fall at the boundary so there was a medical emergency on whether he will continue or not. At that time a written communication was given that a back-up opener was needed. That is when we went to Mayank.”

However, Prasad apologized for not putting up a written clarification on the BCCI website, which kept the speculations afloat. 

“In between any series or a mega event like World Cup I don't do a press conference and that has led to speculations. It was supposed to be put up on the website. We apologise for that now,” Prasad added.

"There were certain programmes to see Ambati Rayudu comes into the setup. We (Selection Committee) don't have anything against a particular player. When Rayudu was picked for ODIs on the basis of his T20 performance, there was criticism, but we had some thoughts about him. When he failed the fitness test, we put him for a fitness program. Due to certain combinations, he wasn't picked, it doesn't make Selection Committee biased.”

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