Former Indian Chief Selector MSK Prasad was not happy with the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee’s disappointed decision to exclude KL Rahul and Rinku Singh from their preliminary squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
On May 1, the BCCI announced the 15-member preliminary squad for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies from June 1. Indian voters chose Sanju Samson as the backup wicketkeeper for the upcoming World Cup mega event and Prasad feels Rahul could be an ideal candidate as the Kerala star in the Indian squad.
The former India wicketkeeper-batsman said that Samson has been included in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad based on his current form in the ongoing IPL 2024, but Rahul is also in great form and deserves a place in the team, especially given his exceptional job in the past behind the stumps.
I felt KL deserved a place in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad: MSK Prasad
MSK Prasad was quoted by Revsportz as saying: “I may sound biased but KL (Rahul) is someone who would have fit in any role. The voters have probably embraced Sanju’s recent IPL form. Sanju has also done well in the recent past. Personally, I would have thought that KL could have done this job too.
He has done very well both with the bat and behind the wickets during the 50-overs World Cup and IPL matches so far. He took some outstanding catches and started leading the team very well. Maybe an additional spinner wasn’t necessary. I think the composition was spot on except for the extra spinner. I felt KL deserved a place.”
Meanwhile, Prasad also criticized the Indian selectors for not including Rinku Singh in India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming season T20 World Cup 2024although he has performed exceptionally well for the Men in Blue since his T20I debut last year.
However, Rinku has been named as traveling reserves for the mega event along with Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed. Prasad admitted that Rinku, Rahul and Shubman Gill narrowly missed out on spots for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
It’s hard to digest that Rinku was ignored: MSK Prasad
Furthermore, the former India chief selector praised the Indian selectors for their clarity in selecting spinners for the showpiece event but unfortunately, this decision resulted in Rinku being ruled out. Well, Prasad said that there is no better finisher than Rinku in India right now, so he is disappointed with his snub.
He explained, “The selectors were clear that in the Caribbean and USA the wickets would support the spinners in the second half of the summer. I think that is the only reason to go for an additional spinner, Axar Patel. That’s why Rinku had to forego it.
If you look at the players who fit the role of finishers, I don’t think there is anyone better than Rinku in India right now. I also find it a little unfortunate and hard to digest that Rinku was ignored.”
Here is India’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024:
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (week), Sanju Samson (week), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh . , Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj
Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan