Former Indian cricket chief selector MSK Prasad insisted that he took certain decisions even against the “legends of the game” during his four-year-long tenure with an “interest of future of Indian cricket”.
Prasad, a former India wicketkeeper, was asked how it was dealing with MS Dhoni’s retirement, which he answered saying he made every decision keeping the best and future of Indian cricket in mind.
“During the course of your journey as a selector, you will have to take some tough decisions even against the legends of the game in the interest of the future of Indian cricket,” said Prasad, whose tenure ended in March.
“Identifying the right successor is the most important job of a selector. You have to be dispassionate as a selector and can’t be emotional about taking tough decisions. And the reason for having a selection committee is to create successors. There can’t be another Dhoni or Sachin [Tendulkar] as they are very unique and their contribution is invaluable and no one can question that,” Prasad told cricket.com
The team which will be playing the finals of the World Test Championship has most of the players selected by MSK Prasad’s led committee.
“You need to do what you are supposed to do. Our deeds are there to see. If seven superstars of the Indian team don’t play in an important match, seven youngsters step in their place [the 2020-21 Australia tour] from India A and win you the game, it is a big compliment for our hard work. Whether people believe it and speak about it or not is immaterial as long as results are there to see,” he said.
Former Indian wicket-keeper said that he was delighted to see the Indian team making in the ICC WTC final based on their performance in the last half-decade.
“There are no two ways about it. The amount of satisfaction and happiness you get from this. From the selection point of view, we did our best. We played our little part in helping this Indian team play the final of the World Test championship. This team thoroughly deserves it since they have been number one for the last four years. Now, I can’t wait to watch the final,” he said.
