MSK’s panel can’t challenge Shastri, Kohli
NEW DELHI: Former chief selector Syed Kirmani has said that the MSK Prasad-led selection panel is not experienced enough to challenge the decisions of head coach Ravi Shastri and captain Virat Kohli.
The ex-India wicketkeeper’s comments come in the wake of the controversy over the exclusion of Karun Nair and Murali Vijay from the Test squad.
Both Nair and Vijay claimed that they were not spoken to by the selectors before or after being dropped, a claim that Prasad has dismissed by stating that both the batsmen were duly informed.
When asked about the selection row, Kirmani said: “If you ask me Ravi Shastri is the main selector, being the coach. He along with captain and senior members will discuss and put it (what they want) across to the selection committee.
“The current selection committee, with due respect, is inexperienced to these guys (Shastri and Kohli). And they better listen to what the team management wants because they cannot debate with Shastri and Kohli, who have much more experience,” said the 68-year-old, who headed the selection panel in early 2000s.
The five-member panel is low on international playing experience with chief selector Prasad playing six Tests and 17 ODIs. The other four -- Sarandeep Singh (2 Tests, 5 ODIs), Dewang Gandhi (4 Tests, 3 ODIs), Jatin Paranjpe (4 ODIs) and Gagan Khoda (2 ODIs) -- too do not have enough experience in top-fight.
“Luck also plays a role in selection. Take my example. I was sidelined at the peak of my career,” said Kirmani, who played the last of his 88 Tests in 1986, on the sidelines of the first Test against the West Indies in Rajkot.
Among India’s finest wicketkeepers, Kirmani also has a lot to say about Rishabh Pant, who has broken into the Test side mainly on the basis of his batting and not his glovework. The World Cupwinner thinks Pant has a long way to go as he is yet to learn the basics of wicket-keeping.
“He is in the cradle of wicketkeeping. He is in the cradle of international cricket also. What is unfortunate is no coach is talking about technique anymore. The performance is what matters and MS Dhoni has proved that. The youngsters are following the likes of Dhoni from the point of batting as well as keeping. Basic technique is required. In batting he (Pant) can manage but in wicket-keeping you have to follow a certain technique to have a good collection and anticipation. You got to have the agility, you got to have a good vision.