Every job has its own demands, number of matches played irrelevant, claims MSK Prasad
MSK Prasad has stated that the common belief of a person needing vast international experience to become a successful selector is unjustified as he went on to cite examples to prove his point. He further discussed how the panel takes the remarks made on it positively instead of being hurt.
National chairman of selectors MSK Prasad has come under a lot of flak recently for some of the decisions his panel has been making with regard to the cricket team. Be it the axing of Ambati Rayudu or the lack of communication with fringe players, most are of the opinion that the lack of international cricket played by the men is being reflected in their choices. The five-men panel has only played 13 Tests combined, with Prasad having played six of them.
“Let me tell you that all the selection committee members have played for Indian team in different formats which is the basic criterion to be in selection committee at the time of our appointments. Apart from international cricket together, we have played 477 first class games. Together we have watched more than 200 first-class matches during our tenure. Don't you think our experience as players and as selectors after watching those number of games are good enough to pick the right talent?” MSK Prasad stated in an exclusive interview with TOI.
Even though over the years the selectors have rarely been legendary cricket personnel, the current panel is facing a lot of heat for the same. However, Prasad had his answer ready.
“Every job has its own demands, If vast international experience is the question then our beloved late Sri Raj Singh Dungarpur wouldn't have been the chairman of the senior selection committee as he never played international cricket. Maybe a diamond called Sachin Tendulkar wouldn't have been unearthed at only 16 years,” Prasad added.
Sunil Gavaskar had recently called the selection committee as a ‘lame duck,’ criticizing them for the lack of initiative taken post the World Cup exit to make improvements to the team.
“It is very unfortunate. We have utmost respect for the legendary cricketers. Every opinion expressed by them is taken in right earnest. They have their viewpoints which is well received, In fact more than getting hurt by this kind of comments it only makes this selection committee stronger, committed and united,” Prasad said on the matter, focusing on the silver lines.
Though there have been arguable decisions, the team has been ranked number one in Tests and ODIs under the panel’s tenure, not to mention the World Cup semifinal and a Champions Trophy final.
“It is a common misconception that people think players who have played more cricket have more knowledge or more power and can bully anybody but it is not the fact. If that is the case then the entire coaching unit selection committee and all other relevant fields should be filled with only those people who have had vast international careers as players don't think this is right,” Prasad reckoned.
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