Outgoing selector MSK Prasad reveals the only regret during his tenure

With his tenure as the chief of national selection committee finally coming to an end, MSK Prasad opened up on his journey in a recent interview. His tenure would have ended last year only but he was given an extension due to various reasons. Earlier this week, the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) conducted the interviews and picked Sunil Joshi and Harvinder Singh as the new selectors.

Joshi and Singh will replace Prasad and Gagan Khoda. Prasad started by wishing good luck to his successors. The former India wicketkeeper said that it was an honour to be the chairman of the selection panel and thanked the BCCI and his fellow selectors.

“My best wishes to Sunil, Harvinder. I hope they will have a successful tenure. For me it was an honour being the chairman of the Indian selection committee. Me and my committee tried our best and I wish to thank the BCCI and my colleagues in the panel for this honour,” Prasad told Mumbai Mirror.

‘Selectors to have say in the Playing XI’: MSK Prasad

MSK Prasad’s tenure as the chief selector was nothing less than an adventure. During his tenure, India became the world number one Test side, won a Test series in Australia in addition to registering numerous emphatic series wins. His panel has also developed a solid bench strength. But he also faced criticism especially when India lost Test series in South Africa and England.

The decision to leave out Ajinkya Rahane in South Africa, Cheteshwar Pujara and Shikhar Dhawan from playing XI in England invited widespread criticism. However, Prasad did not rue the criticism but stated that the selectors on tour should have a say while picking the team.

“I would not like to be critical on anything except one factor in the Lodha reforms. From the South Africa tour (early 2018), the selector on call on overseas tours does not have a say in the touring selection committee. It was there previously. The best thing would be to have the selector in the touring committee. Because he would bring a dispassionate view in the selection of the playing XI,” Prasad said.