The chairman of the selection committee M.S.K. Prasad says it was a “double delight” with India clinching an emphatic win over Australia in the one-day series and also becoming the World No. 1 side in the limited-overs format.
In a chat with The Hindu , the former India wicket-keeper felt it was a complete, all-round performance which helped the team clinch the series in style.
“I don’t think there was any one department where India failed to excel. Every player who was given a chance contributed to the success and as the chairman of the panel, I am glad to see this team perform so well,” he said after India-A wrapped up the two-match ‘Test’ series 2-0 against New Zealand-A.
“I don’t want to engage in any sort of comparison on how this Virat Kohli-led Indian team will be rated with any other previous teams. What is important and immensely satisfying is that it is producing the results that we are all looking for,” said a smiling Prasad.
He refused to entertain any questions on whether fitness would have greater emphasis in selection and not just consistent performances. “Let us leave it please,” he said.
On India-A’s performance, Prasad attributed the success to Rahul Dravid, the chief coach of the team.
“To appoint Rahul as the coach is one of the best things to have happened to Indian team,” he said. “When it comes to Rahul, it is not just about imparting cricketing skills. More valuable is the mental toughness he is trying to pass on to the young talent. And, he is doing a great job,” were Prasad’s compliments to Dravid.
“The performance of India-A team against New Zealand-A is very creditable given the fact that there are quite a few very good internationals in the visiting side. This should do a world of good to the confidence of someone like Shreyas (Iyer), Bawne (Ankit) and the two spinners (Karn and Nadeem). These kind of matches help us ensure a very strong reserve of talent ready to take up bigger responsibilities,” Prasad said.
