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MSK Prasad Comments On Ajinkya Rahane’s Selection
By SMCS - Dec 10, 2021 3:00 pm
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MSK Prasad, the former selection committee head has backed Ajinkya Rahane’s selection in the team for the upcoming South Africa tour, claiming that experience matters a lot when the team is playing away series. Prasad also shared that Rahane always does well on overseas tours too.

ajinkya rahane
Ajinkya Rahane

While speaking to India Today, Prasad has stated that the selection committee could plan well by selecting players specific for home and away conditions. He also added that it’s important to go overseas tours with a good mix of youth and experienced players in the squad.

“At the end of the day, it should be a mix of juniors and seniors. Even in 2013, he (Rahane) did well. Usually, Rahane performs well in overseas conditions but his record at home hasn’t been great. Taking these things into consideration, the selectors can look into players for home conditions and players for away conditions. Usually, Rahane is one guy who does really well in away conditions. Selectors are a bit puzzled because of his form. Whether they are going to look forward or back his experience is going to be their judgement,” he added.

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India has announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa, beginning December 26. Ajinkya Rahane, who has been going through lean patches in recent times, was retained in the squad but has been sacked as vice-captain of the team. Rohit Sharma, who was named as India’s ODI captain on Wednesday, will be the vice-captain of Virat Kohli in the three-match Test series as well.

ajinkya rahane
Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed by Neil Wagner

Notably, Ajinkya Rahane did not feature in the second Test against New Zealand at home due to an injury concern. He has scored 411 in 12 Tests which came at an average of 19.57 as well. MSK Prasad, however, has added that selectors will love to see a healthy competition for spots in the team but it is important that they should have plans regarding the senior players in the team who are going through poor forms.

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“First of all, it is good to have a healthy headache for the selectors. And secondly, you need to have a system in place. How many opportunities would you be giving to a senior cricketer, when do you want to induct a youngster? How many youngsters are on a tour? These are the things you should take into consideration, there should be a good balance,” he added.

“You just can’t simply remove all the seniors, at the same time, you can’t carry on with all youngsters, especially when you are going away. At home, you can try things but when you go away experience counts a lot. That’s why they need to have a perfect blend of youth and experience,” MSK Prasad concluded.