Former BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad reckons that Team India’s “horses for courses” policy has resulted in Mohammad Shami warming the bench in the ongoing World Cup at home.

The Indian team has had a terrific start to its World Cup campaign. Rohit Sharma and his men have won all three matches so far against Australia, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Shami, who claimed a five-wicket haul against Australia in the last ODI series, was left out of the playing XI in all three games.

India prefer to go with two premier pacers in Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur playing the role of a third seamer. On a spin-friendly Chepauk track against Australia, the hosts played senior off-spinner R Ashwin in place of Thakur.

Speaking to news agency PTI, Prasad said Shami could only come back into the XI if the team management wants to rotate Mohammed Siraj.

“They are using horses for courses and it is working fantastically well for the team. If you see they used Ashwin in Chennai and Shardul for the other two games (in Delhi and Ahmedabad). Last game, Shardul was not required as the others did the job (he bowled only two overs),” MSK Prasad said.

“Shami will come into picture if they want to rotate Siraj. Replacements are very clear right now, Sky will replace Shreyas if there is a need, Ishan will replace Gill at the top and Shardul will play if it is a flat deck. Aswhin will come in his place if it is a turning track,” he added.

According to Prasad, the team has clarity over all the roles and Hardik Pandya bowling 5-6 overs per game is “good enough”.

“With Hardik, you can’t expect him to bowl 10 overs in every game. The job that he is doing. of bowling 5-6 overs per game, that is good enough. Team management seems to have absolute clarity on the role of every individual,” he remarked.

India’s next World Cup match is scheduled against Bangladesh in Pune on Thursday (October 19).

(With PTI Inputs)