While MSK Prasad recently ended his journey as the chief selector of the Indian men’s national cricket team, he is now opening up his views on the team’s future. He believes that it will be tough to fill the gaps of the legendary Indian cricketers like MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh.
MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh both put the huge impacts on the Indian national cricket team. Yuvraj was the star of the Indian team during their big successes, including winning the ICC World T20 2007 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. For his impressive all-round performances, Yuvraj won the Player of the Tournament award in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Even after successfully defeating cancer, Yuvraj served for the country in a top way.
Even before his international career, he impressed during the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2000 in Sri Lanka where India U19 won their first trophy and Yuvraj was awarded the Player of the Tournament.
Meanwhile, since his international cricket debut in December 2004, MS Dhoni gradually grew up as a special cricketer who can lead the team in the best way. Under his captaincy, India not only reached the top of the ICC Test team rankings, but they also won the ICC World T20 2007, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, ICC Champions Trophy 2013. Dhoni is still the only captain to win three different ICC trophies.
While Yuvraj already retired from the international cricket (in June 2019), Dhoni has already retired from the Test cricket (in December 2014), and he is also moving to the last chapter of his international career.
After spending more than three years as the chief of the national selection committee, MSK Prasad recently ended his term in that role. Former Indian left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi has recently replaced him as the chief of the national selection committee.
Recently, in an interview with TOI, Prasad claimed that both Dhoni and Yuvraj were legends of Indian cricket, and it would be tough to fill their gaps.
Prasad said, “MSD & Yuvraj are legends of Indian cricket and I don’t really see anyone stepping into those shoes so easily. It is tough to deal with it. Our fundamental job is to identify fresh talent, groom him and induct him when the need arises and that is what we have done.”
MSK Prasad revealed his most challenging experiences
MSK Prasad also revealed his most challenging experiences as the chief of the national selection committee. Talking about that, Prasad pointed out removing the top two spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja from the limited-overs cricket as well as preparing the successor for Dhoni.
Prasad added, “Dropping Ashwin and Jadeja from white-ball cricket or preparing a successor for MS Dhoni— both were challenging as we are talking about legends who have been instrumental in taking Indian cricket to great heights.”