Selectors should have say in choosing playing XI: MSK Prasad

The Sunil Joshi-led new selection panel must have a say in picking the playing XI and BCCI constitution should be amended to make it happen, former chief selector MSK Prasad suggested on Saturday.

Prasad has just completed an eventful tenure during which he successfully oversaw the transition of leadership from Mahendra Singh Dhoni to Virat Kohli.

In his four-year term, India won a first ever Test series in Australia but a bigger contribution was creating a robust supply line of India A players.

"I personally feel this flaw in the new reforms has to be amended at all costs so that there will be equal responsibility of the outcomes," Prasad told PTI in an interview, when asked about his view on selectors having a vote in choosing playing XI which till date remains coach and captain's prerogative.

He reminded that perspective of the team management and the selection committee would be a bit different.

"Generally, the sectors have a macro picture looking at whole of Indian cricket and the team management has this micro picture of Indian Team.

"But over a period of time with the relationships being built between the selectors, captain and team management there will be a synergy of thought-process due to the mutual respect that they share," the former India stumper said.

The stature of his committee was questioned but Prasad did not care for the brickbats.

"Criticism should always be healthy and any criticism with ulterior motive should always be neglected."
"Handling the transition period of MSD to Virat & Developing substantial bench strength had been the biggest success of our committee."
"Of course, the Test series losses in SA & England and World Cup losss in semifinals. I think we deserved to win all 3 of them. It was so close yet so far."
"I keep saying this that we have not lost the World Cup because of No.4 position. When our team reached top of the table prior to that semifinal games that speaks it all. It was one bad session that cost us the World Cup."
"We had a very clear plans and shared the roles and accordingly I posted the selectors for the domestic games."
My strength had been my colleagues whose hardwork & commitment had helped in building this wonderful Indian team across all formats."