2019 World Cup: MSK Prasad Says Bench Strength Holds Importance for India
May 29, 2019 at 7:22 PM
While giving his insights, the chief of the Indian selection committee MSK Prasad stressed upon that selection headache for the 2019 World Cup, is a whole right procedure while believing the bench strength would be an added advantage for the Men in Blue in the United Kingdom (UK). He said the reserve players would be crucial for India in the lead up to the ODI showpiece with Virat Kohli being at the helm of affairs.
IPL leg important for the players: Prasad
In the meantime, Indian players are scheduled to feature in the twelfth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Also, Prasad in his recent interview maintained that the IPL leg would help players to prepare for the 2019 World Cup.
The domestic professional Twenty20 league will commence from March 23 when the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Chennai.
“It’s going to be a long, long tournament. We need to pick the right XI, strike the right balance. What is more important is our players have to be fit for the next 45 days and after the IPL. These are the things that we need to keep in mind,” Prasad told India Today.
Earlier, Team India head coach Ravi Shastri also stated that they’re going to set focus on every player during the forthcoming IPL edition.
Prasad backs India to win the 2019 World Cup title:
With the healthy competition taking place within the circles and most of the players have booked their respective spots.
Prasad still feels a couple of spots left vacant would give a severe headache to the selection committee under the tutelage of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Former Indian cricketer Prasad maintained that India has to rely on to strike the chords, well. He expressed that they want to lift the trophy in England.
“Well, I can clearly say we are having a healthy headache, spoiled for choice. We need to strike the balance. This is a mega event, and we want to win the World Cup. So that is where those two-three slots are going to be very crucial,” Prasad added.
India not to play the same playing XI: Prasad
As of now, India has plenty of choices to pick among them. Prasad recently insisted that the combination of youth and experience has paid rich dividends for the Men in Blue.
Also, the 43-year-old Prasad remarked that Kohli as a leader has to use players in the extended multi-nation tourney. The tourney will commence from May 30 in London.
“I don’t foresee the same playing XI playing all the matches. We will have to rotate some of the players. That’s why the reserves are also going to be crucial in this World Cup,” Prasad further added.
India will start its campaign against South Africa National Cricket Team on June 5 in Southampton.