Ahead of the five-match Test series in England, MSK Prasad, the former India ‘keeper and ex-chief selector, opened up on multiple happenings in the world of Indian cricket. From India’s newest and youngest batting sensation—Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Rishabh Pant’s struggles in T20 cricket and whether it will carry forward into Tests, how Indian players are shaping up for the England challenge to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s form.
Excerpts from the Exclusive Chat:
Q: What was your first reaction when you saw a 14-year-old scoring a century in the IPL? Have you seen anything like that before?
My first reaction is, this could be our eighth wonder of the world. It is actually surreal that a 14-year-old kid is hitting the best of the lot in the business. Including all the opposition bowlers or international bowlers. Smashing them around the park. Hitting 11 sixers. Getting a century, fastest century by an Indian. Second fastest century in IPL history. I think there are no words to express this unbelievable feat. I think this is probably the best thing that has ever happened in the history of the IPL.
Q: From a selector’s point of view, how should someone as young as Vaibhav be managed at this stage? What are the dos and don’ts according to you?
He should be properly groomed through a systematic process. Otherwise, there is every chance that we might lose him over a period of time. He needs to be under his tutelage. He needs to be well-groomed under the mentorship of someone like VVS Laxman or Rahul Dravid.
I don’t think we should be hurrying him into the next levels. I think he has to go through the grind of a season. Because he has to go through the four seasons of his life. This kid is so young that he has not even seen maybe one season in a year. So, I would see that he should go through that four seasons in a year. Play a complete one year of first-class cricket. He should go at least one or two seasons of the grind of Indian domestic cricket. See, there are no two ways about his talent. You know, someone who is getting a century at the age of 14 speaks volumes about his talent. And he also got a 100 against Australia and 57 balls in under-19. That means he has got unbelievable capacity.
I have my reservations about rushing him to India A. He should go through the grind of domestic cricket at least for a year or two.
Q: Shifting our focus to Rishabh Pant now. He is clearly not in the best touch with the bat or with the results as a captain. Do you think this slump could affect his confidence heading into the England Test series?
Rishabh Pant is what Rishabh Pant is. We don’t know what he comes out with when he steps into the Test arena. I think he is the only wicket-keeper-batter in the history of Indian cricket to get 100s in SENA countries. So, when it comes to Test cricket, you will see a different Rishabh Pant in him. But when it comes to T20 cricket off late, I can clearly see the dip in his form. And it’s not only now.
If you see subsequent to his injury, recovery of the injury, the kind of performance that he used to hit through the lines in front of the wicket is not really happening now. Injury could be one of those reasons. And his confidence also can be some of those reasons. But when it comes to Test cricket, I don’t think the performance here will transform into Test cricket. He is already a legendary Test cricketer.
Q: So, what’s the way forward for someone like Rishabh Pant from here on?
It’s very, very obvious that he is under tremendous pressure to perform, to excel in the T20 format. His form has definitely dipped. There are no two ways about it. Is it because of the leadership? Is it because of the form? There are so many other things also which are really not helping his form right now. But just with the form of this IPL, you cannot write off someone like Rishabh Pant.
Q: Would you pick Mohammad Shami for England?
Of course. He should be a part of it. See, Indian Test cricket history, the success of Indian cricket Test history for the last 10-15 years, largely owes to this great man. Even before Bumrah came into the picture, it was Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma who were the people who really won us those matches in the away series. So, Shami has to be very much part and parcel of our Test cricket.
Q: And what about Prasidh Krishna? Do you think he is ready for the England challenge?
I think so. He is an ideal Test cricketer. The length that he bowls is ideal for Test cricket. When we talk about transition. Maybe post-Shami era or post-XYZ era. You need to have players like him. Players like Mohammad Siraj who can take the onus on themselves in this particular department. So, I feel that Prasidh Krishna is definitely up there to be picked for the Test series.
Q: Thoughts on Sai Sudharsan as the third opener?
I will agree with that. See, I have already given this statement before. That this kid, wherever he went, he got a 100. He got a double hundred in first-class cricket. And he is performing in T20 cricket because, technically, he is very sound. And that’s the reason why he is consistent. If you see that only those people who are technically sound, go on to become consistent even in T20 format as well. Whether it is Virat Kohli or KL Rahul or Shubman Gill, they have been very good, very consistent. So, I feel that Sai Sudharsan should be picked, actually.
Q: And finally, is it essential at this point for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play for India A ahead of the England series?
Yes. In fact, if you see that in the last 5-6 months, they have been playing this game continuously. If you are asking them to go for a match practice, yes, I do agree. But if you are asking them to prove a point, I don’t think they have anything to prove. They have proved their point enough.