Shamik Chakrabarty, Mumbai
Former chief selector MSK Prasad feels that the current selection committee under Ajit Agarkar could easily have avoided controversy by picking a 17-member squad for the Asia Cup. From Shreyas Iyer’s snub to Shubman Gill’s return to the T20I team as Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy, and Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s future, he touched upon many issues in an interview with RevSportz. Excerpts:
Q: What are your thoughts on Shreyas Iyer’s omission from the Asia Cup squad? Do you see him in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup?
A: My heart goes (out) to Shreyas Iyer, especially for the changes he has brought to his game and the consistency he has been showing in this format. He should have been part of this team. Unfortunately, we missed a trick by not picking him when there is an opportunity to pick a 17-member squad, like other teams in the Asia Cup (have done).
Q: Shubman Gill has returned to the T20I fold as vice-captain. Obviously, the selectors want to groom him as the all-format skipper going ahead. Your thoughts?
A: Shubman has been very very consistent across formats, not only with his bat but also in his captaincy. He is the right man to lead India across formats going forward, and the selectors have done the right thing by making him vice-captain for this Asia Cup.
Q: During your time as chief selector, how did your committee look into managing the fast bowlers’ workload?
A: Since we have developed a pace battery during our tenure, the workload management was seamless, and we never felt the absence of senior bowlers. Bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, Avesh khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini and Deepak Chahar would easily step into the seniors’ shoes and perform straightaway as they had been groomed well through a systematic India A process.
Q: Are you OK with Jasprit Bumrah playing just three Tests in England? How would you have managed his workload?
A: Yes, I do agree with the team management as regards playing Bumrah in three Tests only. He is our Kohinoor whom we have to safeguard/preserve for the mega events. See the success rate of Bumrah in all the major events. In fact, if you see how Cricket Australia looks after the workload management of Mitchell Starc… he comes up with his best performances for his country in mega events. This is exactly what we have to do with Bumrah. He is too precious to be spent too much.
Q: About Rohit Sharma and and Virat Kohli, do you think they should be in the scheme of things for the 2027 World Cup? Or do you see the retirements incoming, as transition in Indian cricket has begun in earnest?
A: Both Virat and Rohit have been sensational in the ODI format. They have been preserving themselves to play the mega event in 2027. I feel both of them should be very much part of the team for the major event. My concern is that, since we have too few ODIs before the World Cup, they should find a way to keep their fitness and form intact for the major event.
Q: Do you agree that both Rohit and Virat should play the unofficial ODIs against Australia A in September-October before the white-ball series Down Under?
A: Both of them have amassed enough runs in ODIs and they have nothing to prove. But yes, they should be playing these matches to keep their form flowing, which is good for them personally and for the team at large.
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