Former India chief selector responds to Ambati Rayudu’s digs at former selection committee

Former India player Ambati Rayudu was certain to get the 2019 ODI World Cup ticket. Leading up to the tournament, he was doing well for the team at number four. Ahead of the tournament, Rayudu had a rare failure with the bat in a home series against Australia. Despite that, the Andhra player was expected to make it to the side.

However, to a shocking surprise to the fans, Vijay Shankar, ho hardly for India before was considered. This led to Rayudu taking to Twitter and writing the infamous ‘3D glasses’ tweet. Four years after this, Rayudu has retired from international cricket. During an interview, he said that he has no ill feelings for Vijay Shankar but was flabbergasted by the selection call.

“Everyone went after Vijay Shankar. I did not have that intention. I could not understand their thinking and logic. If you have decided to replace me, you could have picked a similar player. How can you pick a player who plays numbers 6 and 7 and put him at 4? I don’t have anything personal against Vijay Shankar and MSK Prasad. I have played in New Zealand before the World Cup in similar conditions. I have been preparing well. Only those people can answer what went on,” Rayudu said during an interview with TV9 Telegu.

MSK Prasad responds to Ambati Rayudu’s allegations

In an interview with the same channel, former India chief selector MSK Prasad that the decision to leave Rayudu was a collective one. The former added that the selection committee consists of five members and they take the opinion of the captain too.

“All of us know that the selection committee has got five selectors and the captain sitting in the selection committee. Will any single person’s decision be taken or is it a consensus or is it an entire collective decision that would be taken? If an individual can take a decision then you don’t require five selectors,” MSK Prasad said during an interview with TV9 Telegu.