Former Indian chief selector MSK Prasad opened up on how crucial the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan is for India's preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
This three-match T20I series will be the last international assignment for Team India in the format before the T20 World Cup 2024, so it holds crucial significance for the players and selectors as well.
Once the home T20I series with Afghanistan wraps up, Team India will shift focus to a five-match Test series against England, followed by the upcoming IPL 2024, and Prasad feels this tournament will be crucial in terms of analyzing the players’ form and picking the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024.
MSK Prasad said on Star Sports: “I would definitely prefer to have the best possible team. The reason is that these are the only three T20s that are left before we get into the IPL and get into an actual T20 format. But for the injured players, I think I would definitely have our main players playing in this T20. Let’s not forget that Afghanistan is a very competitive side and will do whatever possible.”
Speaking on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s return to T20I set-up, the former selector opined: “I do understand that Rohit and Virat were given a bit of rest after the South Africa tour. I think that was needed, after a mega event like the ODI World Cup. They needed that kind of a break. So fortunately, they have had a healthy break and have done reasonably well, the youngsters.”
He continued, “See, my opinion is there’s absolutely no doubt that Virat and Rohit will be a part of the T20 World Cup, so they should start playing right from this series. The question arises, why they didn’t play after the last T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. The reason they didn’t play is we were heading towards an ODI World Cup, so we predominantly wanted to focus on ODIs.
That’s the reason they offered other youngsters who were maybe thinking towards the T20 World Cup. So that’s a wonderful thing from both of them, and even the selectors and team management have got it right. Because if we are heading towards the ODI World Cup, it is better to focus on the ODIs, and we had the WTC also. So, they were focusing on test cricket and ODI cricket. Now that we are heading towards a T20, they should be back to action.”
On being asked about his thoughts on the possible final squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, Prasad said: “I think players like Virat, Rohit, even for that matter, (Mohammed) Shami, (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammad) Siraj, (Ravindra) Jadeja, and Hardik (Pandya), other than those names, there are a few places where I feel players like Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson.”
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He further said, “If KL Rahul is keeping wickets, who is your second keeper? What if Rishabh Pant is fit? What if Ishan Kishan is ready? If we are going to pick him, what order is it? So, I don’t think that we need somebody at the top of the order. We needed someone in the middle order, so if Sanju throws his hat into the selection, all these things will definitely come into the picture.”
Prasad signed off by saying, “Somebody like Yashasvi Jaiswal or even Shubman Gill, form will definitely be a factor, he’s established but still these are few places which will definitely depend on the form they will exhibit in the IPL. So, it’s important they keep ringing the bell so the selectors have a good headache.”
(With Star Sports/PTI Inputs)
