IPL is a gateway only for the T20I team, Indian chief selector MSK Prasad

The cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) has proved to be a platform for many youngsters who then went on to represent Team India at the highest level. From Jasprit Bumrah to Shreyas Iyer, Kuldeep Yadav to Hardik Pandya, all of them first bagged limelight in domestic cricket, then in the IPL and that was the gateway into the national side. Chief selector MSK Prasad, however, has made it clear that performing well in the T20 tournament will not guarantee a place in the ODI and Test team, but only in the T20I side.

In an interview, Prasad was asked about his view on how a lot of players have come in through the IPL and then become Test regulars from Pandya to Bumrah. He said that players who perform consistently well in the IPL naturally are noticed by the selectors, but they are picked keeping in mind only T20Is. It depends from player to player on how they can or cannot adapt themselves to the other two formats.

“Well, IPL is a premier Indian tournament that has the best players playing from across the world. The fierce competition that this tournament offers is phenomenal. Players performing consistently will definitely catch the eye. Having said that, we pick players from IPL only for T20 format and from there on to ODIs, if they are living up to the expected standards. After being picked from the IPL, it’s up to the players on how keen they are in learning the tricks of the trade that different formats of the game offer,” he was quoted as saying on Cricbuzz.

Hardik should convert his talent into match-winning performances

When asked what all-rounder Hardik Pandya brings to the team, especially because India are yet to find a back-up for him, Prasad said that the Baroda all-rounder is very talented but not a match-winner yet.

“Hardik Pandya definitely adds huge strength to the team’s balance. He brings in that additional strength to all three departments (batting, bowling and fielding). He has an abundance of talent, which he needs to realise and convert into match-winning performances,” he further said.

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