18 August,2017 08:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Ajit Bezbaruah
At a time when Mahendra Singh Dhoni's inclusion in the Indian team is under scrutiny, ex-chief selectors Kiran More and Dilip Vengsarkar feel age shouldn't be a factor
India's MS Dhoni bats against Pakistan during the Champions Trophy final in London. Pic/Getty Images
Yuvraj Singh's omission from the Indian team for the ODIs against Sri Lanka and chairman of selectors MSK Prasad's comment on MS Dhoni that he is 'no longer an automatic choice in the team' has been received with mixed reactions.
Some section in the media reported that "the failure to clear the Yo-Yo endurance test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) was the primary reason why Yuvraj and Suresh Raina were not considered for the Sri Lanka limited overs series". Prasad on the other hand called Yuvraj's omission a part of "the rotation policy" and also hinted that there will be a lot of "rotation" in the next one year before the selectors zero in on the team for the 2019 World Cup in England.
MSK policy for MSD
Prasad called Dhoni "a legend" and went on to put the World Cup-winning skipper also in the same bracket among the other rotational players. This has irked MSD fans and they have already taken Prasad to the cleaners through their jibes on social media.
"I don't blame the fans but Prasad is doing his job. Such decisions are not taken by Prasad alone. Big decisions are taken collectively," former India wicketkeeper and ex-chairman of the selection panel Kiran More told mid-day yesterday.
"Performance should be the only criteria to decide who makes the cut or not. And it is not just about Dhoni alone. Any player whose performance is below par will be under pressure," added More.
Also Read: Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina failed 'Yo-Yo' endurance test at the NCA
Experience matters: More
Former India captain and BCCI's ex-chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar said: "I don't think age should be a criteria for selection or non-selection of a player. If the player is in form and he is fit then he should be selected."
However, More stuck to the performance part of a player and even discounted form and fitness, but added experience to it as the other important factor of selection.
"Experience plays an important part in all major success. Look at all World Cup winning teams and you will see that it is a fine amalgamation of youth and experience. You need the energy and exuberance from the youth, but you can't discount experience either. Someone like Ashish Nehra walked into the Indian World T20 team when he was 39 and showed what he is capable of. I don't think he was in terrific form and one can't call him the fittest bloke around either. So Dhoni should be left alone. Even if his performance lacks anything, he can be an asset to the team just because of his vast experience which India will need at a big event like the World Cup," More added.
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