mobile app bar

MSK Prasad slams critics for pointing out Indian selectors’ “inexperience”

Dixit Bhargav
Published

MSK Prasad slams critics for pointing out Indian selectors' "inexperience"

MSK Prasad slams critics: The Head of Indian Selection Committee finally opened up on constantly getting criticized by former players.

Chief selector MSK Prasad has lashed out at critics who constantly highlight the “inexperience” of the current selection committee. Despite the Indian team doing well under the Prasad-led selection committee, the selectors mostly receive flak for playing a collective of 13 Test matches between 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,” Prasad was quoted as saying in a recent interview with PTI.

MSK Prasad slams critics

Prasad further stated that the job of finding talent has nothing much to do with playing international cricket for a significant period of time. Furthermore, Prasad also gave examples of less-experienced players becoming successful successful selectors both in India and overseas.

“If one is talking about stature and international experience, Ed Smith, who is the current chairman for England and Wales Cricket Board has played only one Test.

“Trevor Hohns, who is the chairman of Cricket Australia’s selection committee for over a decade and half with a couple of years break in between, has played only seven Tests. And Oh yes, Mark Waugh, who played 128 Test matches and 244 ODIs, worked under Trevor. Legendary Australian player and captain Greg Chappell, who played 87 Test matches and 74 ODIs for his country, is also working under Trevor now.

“When stature and international experience doesn’t come into picture in those countries, how will it come in the way in our country? The point that I am driving here is that every job has its own demands.

ALSO READ: MSK Prasad issues huge statement on MS Dhoni’s retirement

“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 said.

“It is very unfortunate…”

Most recently, legendary India batsman Sunil Gavaskar was in the news after he claimed the Indian selectors to be “lame ducks”. Prasad called the incident as “unfortunate” and believed that such comments only make the selection committee stronger and united.

“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 added.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Dixit Bhargav

x-iconfacebook-iconinstagram-iconlinkedin-icon

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

Read more from Dixit Bhargav

Share this article