Yuvraj Singh slams MSK Prasad-led selection panel over Ambati Rayudu's World Cup 2019 snub

Yuvraj Singh, the former World Cup winner is known for his outspoken nature on social media platforms. Recently, he slammed Indian selectors saying that Ambati Rayudu was a well-deserved candidate to play for Team India in the World Cup last year. However, he was not picked just based on his performances in IPL 2019 and three ODIs against Australia.

The MSK Prasad-led selection panel had earlier faced heavy criticism from the fans for not picking Rayudu in the 15-man squad for the mega event. Though the Hyderabad cricketer was in the list of back-up players, he was never picked as a replacement with Rishabh Pant and Mayank Agarwal being preferred.

Yuvraj Singh takes a shot against selectors once again

In the live session, Yuvraj Singh said that he can’t understand why selectors picked Vijay Shankar in World Cup squad and later Pant came in as a replacement. These players didn’t have much experience to play at the highest level then and to expect a good show from them straightaway in the World Cup is not correct according to him.

The 38-year-old recited the fact that Rayudu scored a brilliant 90 against New Zealand. The former player cited that he was just dropped from the squad after observing his IPL 2019 performances. Yuvraj feels that the T20 World Cup is now on its way and the new selection panel should pick experienced players instead of cricketers that they like.

“In 2019, I don’t know what was thinking about the middle order. (Vijay) Shankar was picked to at 4, and then (Rishabh) Pant replaced him. These guys played 4-5 games before the WC, they don’t perform in crunch situations then you scrutinise him. What is their (Indian cricket team selectors’) planning? Rayudu scored 90 in NZ and they dropped him in the last minute.

“Rayudu, who scored 90 in NZ, failed in three innings against Australia and wasn’t in the Indian squad, because he didn’t have a good IPL. You can’t go into a World Cup with guys who have played just 3-5 ODIs. There has to be thought process while going into such a big World Cup.

“For the upcoming T20 World Cup, guys have been playing for a while and those who have experience should be picked. In the last minute if you pick a player just because you like him, it’s not fair on the guy who is being dropped,” Yuvraj Singh told Nikhil Naz in an Instagram live session.