Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu recently claimed that his exclusion from India’s ODI World Cup squad in 2019 was due to a difference of opinion with then-selector MSK Prasad. In response, Prasad addressed these allegations, emphasizing that the selection process was a collective decision taken by the committee.
During a recent interview, MSK Prasad, the former chairman of the Indian selection committee, clarified the process behind the squad selection for the 2019 World Cup. Prasad highlighted that the committee, consisting of five selectors and the team captain, functioned as a collective unit, making decisions through consensus rather than individual preferences.
Prasad stated, “Will any single person’s decision be taken or is it a consensus or is it an entire collective decision that would be taken? If an individual can take a decision, then you don’t require five selectors. So any decision that is taken only happens with the consensus of the entire selection committee.”
Rayudu had mentioned his dissatisfaction with Prasad’s methods during his tenure as the captain of the Andhra Ranji team in 2005. Responding to this, Prasad acknowledged that differences could arise within a team, even among brothers, during a long cricketing season. However, he clarified that such minor differences should not carry over to the selection of the national team for an event as significant as the World Cup.
“In a team, a small difference can happen during a long cricketing season. There can be a difference of opinion between brothers also. But that cannot be the reason to carry such small differences here and there to such a big platform like Indian cricket team’s selection,” said Prasad.
He further emphasized that Rayudu’s selection for the Indian team in previous international matches prior to the World Cup indicated a lack of differences during that period. Prasad firmly stated that the selection process involved a complete collective decision-making approach rather than an individual opinion or decision.
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Rayudu recently announced his retirement from cricket following the triumph of his franchise, Chennai Super Kings, in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final against the Gujarat Titans. Despite his retirement, Rayudu’s final international record did not match the expectations set by his talent. In 55 ODIs, he amassed 1,694 runs, including three centuries, at an impressive average of 47.05. Additionally, he scored 42 runs in six T20 Internationals and accumulated 6,151 runs with 16 hundreds in 97 first-class matches for Hyderabad, Andhra, Baroda, and Vidarbha.
