X factor out and average players in the team: Prasad on Indian team selection

Former fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad criticized the decision to drop Ishan Kishan from the playing XI for the first ODI against Sri Lanka, saying that a player who scores a double century is not dropped. Ahead of the first ODI against Sri Lanka, Indian captain Rohit Sharma made it clear that he would open the innings with Shubman Gill while Ishaan had scored a double century in the last ODI. Prasad said in a series of tweets, “The one who scored a double century in India’s last ODI, had to be given a chance.” There is a lot of time for Gill, but how can you leave out the one who scored a double century.

Ishaan scored a double century in ODIs against Bangladesh last month. Prasad, who has played 33 Tests and 161 ODIs for India, said the current Indian set-up prefers average performance over the X factor. He said, “This is the reason why we are not doing well in limited overs cricket. Frequent changes and outstanding performer out. Average performance preferred over X factor.

Prasad said, “Rishabh Pant scored a century in the last ODI in England and India won the series. But on the basis of T20 form, he was dropped from the ODI team. On the other hand, KL Rahul failed continuously except for a couple of innings but retained his place in the team. The performance is no longer the norm which is sad.” Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif said, “I am not comfortable seeing the Indian team today. Ishan Kishan, who scored a double century in the last ODI innings, and Suryakumar Yadav, who scored a century in the last T20 innings, are out. Hope their morale will remain. Rahul will be the wicketkeeper of the team. In the first ODI, Shreyas Iyer has been preferred over world number one T20 batsman Suryakumar. India last won a major tournament in 2013.