MSK Prasad feels there was no point in persisting with Rohit Sharma

05/09/2018

Chairman of selectors MSK Prasad didn't see any point in persisting with Rohit Sharma and stated that this was the ‘best opportunity’ to get Karun Nair back in the team. Given their excellent performances, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have been picked for ODI and T20 against England.

In the meeting on May 8, six teams were announced by the national selectors. Among the most recognizable exclusion from the Test squad that will play against Afghanistan was Rohit Sharma’s. MSK Prasad, after the announcement, stated that the panel thought it was the ‘best opportunity’ to get Karun Nair in the mix of things over Rohit Sharma, who hasn't clicked in the Test format of late. Nair's brilliant stint in the Ranji Trophy this season, where he has scored 600 runs, played a crucial role in his selection.

"This was the best opportunity for us to give Karun a chance because he's been doing well," replied Prasad when asked why Rohit had been omitted from the Test squad.

There were no senior names included in the India ‘A’ squad but Prasad clarified that Murali Vijay, Wriddhiman Saha, and Mohammed Shami would play the four-day Test match against West Indies before getting into the groove of the England tour.

"We did discuss, had a meeting with Virat, Ravi and Rahul. Some of the Test specialists like Saha, Vijay and Shami will play the third India 'A' Test against West Indies A before playing the warm-up game against Essex and then the England Tests," Prasad said.

Prasad, former India wicket-keeper, reiterated that Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the best wicketkeeper-batsman that India has at the moment. Asked if the selectors have kept a pool ready, Prasad replied, "Yes, we are working towards it. We have tried six wicket-keepers for India A during the past few months. We are rotating and preparing them for the next level."

Prasad praised the performances of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal and stated it made sense to give them chance seeing their improving performances.

"When they (Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja) were excluded, we made it clear that two-three youngsters would be given the opportunity. It made sense to give them a long rope. If you see the wickets they've (Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal) taken, it's heartening. They've kept improving game after game, so it makes sense to continue with them when they're winning games both home and abroad," said Prasad.

Prasad credited the BCCI officials, who keep a track of the domestic performances, and revealed that along with the performances they take inputs from the senior players, before selecting the team.

"Credit to my colleagues because one thing that I am very proud about our committee is that we keep track of every match. We have designed a strategy where match referees give their reports on those matches, which we have not watched. So we keep track of every domestic match played in India. Also, we talk to the senior boys and take their inputs," Prasad said.

He also stated that Mayank Agarwal, Prasidh Krishna, Rajneesh Gurbani have all been rewarded for their good performances in the domestic circuit.