MSK Prasad reveals the most challenging decisions as Team India selector

MSK Prasad has said that grooming a successor of MS Dhoni has been one of the most challenging aspects of his tenure as the selector of Team India. Prasad, who’s also a former Indian cricketer, has recently been replaced by Sunil Joshi as the new selection committee chief. Prasad has served in his role since 2015 and has had to face a lot of flak due to his lack of experience at the highest level.

Prasad also said that looking ahead of Ravi Ashwin and Ravi Jadeja in the white-ball formats was a tough decision without a doubt. Both fell out of contention after the 2017 Champions Trophy and was replaced by the duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.

“Dropping (Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja from white-ball cricket or preparing a successor for MS Dhoni, both were challenging,” Prasad was quoted as saying in Cricbuzz.

At the present point in time, Ashwin only plays Test cricket and there’s very remote chances of him making a comeback in white ball cricket for India. On the other hand, Jadeja made his return in the 2018 Asia Cup and he also went on to play the 2019 World Cup. Jadeja also remains to be one of India’s key elements in Test cricket, especially at home.

Dhoni and Yuvraj are legends, says Prasad

Prasad also lavished praises on Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, however, he understands that it will be hard to fill in their shoes. Even as Yuvraj has already hung his boots from the highest level, at the age of 38, Dhoni is at the fag end of his glorious career as well.

“Dhoni and Yuvraj are legends and I don’t really see anyone stepping into those shoes. It is tough to deal with. Our fundamental job is to identify fresh talent, groom them and induct them when the need arises,” he added.

Dhoni is now set to ply his trade in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he represents the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He last played for Team India in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup where Martin Guptill ran him out at the Old Trafford in Manchester.