MSK’s advise to Vihari, follow VVS Laxman path for comeback
I’am very happy that wicketkeeper KS Bharat got selected. But I’m shocked that Hanuma Vihari is excluded. He was part of the team in England, Australia, New Zealand and West Indies.
Hyderabad: Shocked by the surprise omission of G Hanuma Vihari for the home Test series against New Zealand, former chairman of selectors MSK Prasad has advised the Hyderabad batsman to take a leaf from the book of VVS Laxman to make a comeback.
“I’am very happy that wicketkeeper KS Bharat got selected. But I’m shocked that Hanuma Vihari is excluded. He was part of the team in England, Australia, New Zealand and West Indies. He is someone who always has shown a big heart while playing for India. Despite his hamstring injury, he saved the Sydney Test which enabled India to win the Brisbane Test and the series 2-1. How can you forget those achievements? I understand if he doesn’t find a place if Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are playing. But both of them are not there and Vihari would have been an automatic choice. It is certainly a shocking exclusion,’’ said Prasad.
Prasad pointed out that the best way for Vihari to make a comeback is to take Laxman’s path. “Vihari should do a Laxman. He has to fight and score runs in plenty like Laxman did for his comeback. The bat should speak like Laxman, who scored 1400-odd runs to make a comeback into the Indian team. He never looked back after that. I’m sure Vihari will follow in Laxman’s footsteps. This India A’s to South Africa is very crucial for him. I’m sure Vihari will utilise the tour fully and make a comeback for the tough South Africa series where the conditions are challenging.’’
Prasad agreed that the Indian team is in a transition phase. “We have to wait for the new cycle after a few players will make their way to the junior players. This team was built four or five years ago. They did exceedingly well. Probably, one of the reasons some new faces are in the team but that doesn’t mean a player like Vihari should face the axe. Vihari had made an impact whenever he got the chance to play for India. For someone who hit half century and three wickets in his debut Test, century and 93 against West Indies in West Indies. He got runs in Australia.’’
On his role as chairman of the panel, Prasad said there should always be good communication between the selection committee, captain and coach of the team. “That is the key for the success of the team. The selection committee is part of the extended team management. We need to build chemistry and there are many times there could be healthy arguments. These arguments are always for the betterment of the team or future of the team. It was a kind of rapport that we built with Kohli, Shastri, Bharat Arun or Sridhar. That is the reason we had a smooth ride in those four years. People may say that we were succumbing to the pressure but in reality it was not so. Many were ignorant of the facts. We had to take some harsh measures but that intent was for the success of the team only. We used to explain to the team management with facts and figures. This process was set nicely.’’
Prasad revealed many times they used to take tough calls. “There were many times we had to take tough calls. It was part and parcel of my job. I always believe the role of the selection committee is to groom fresh talent.’’
The former Indian Test wicketkeeper signed off by saying he had fantastic relations with the new Indian coach Rahul Dravid when he was India `A’ coach.. “We had tremendous understanding with Ravi Shastri and Dravid. That is the reason the things moved very smoothly.’’
