Too early to talk about WC combination: MSK Prasad

“It’s too early to talk about whether they (Ashwin and Jadeja) would figure in the scheme of things for the 2019 World Cup. There’s a lot of time (16 months) for the next World Cup,” was all he would say.

We did speak to both of them about things. We have given opportunity to the youngsters. We have increased the base of our spin department, pool of spinners. Considering whatever the bigger tournament that comes up, the best possible combination will be taken into consideration. When we have enough bench strength in every department, then why not in spin department. We have 6-7 good quality pacers, a person who has scored a triple-hundred in Test is waiting in the wings…similarly we thought of increasing the pool of spinners. And we wanted to bring some variety into spin department. Fundamentally we started off with an idea to increase the variety in spin department, time and again they proved us right.

Not really. Because I have always had this faith that both of them are wicket-takers. I’m sure with the backing they get from the team management and the skipper and others, their confidence levels keep going up with every game. Identifying talent is our duty and how its nurtured is left to the team management and that they are doing a fantastic job at that. 

There is a wonderful unit of Sanjay, Ravi, Arun and Sridhar. Any player who comes into the team should considere himself fortunate. There is a wonderful atmosphere to begin with. There is a captain who himself sets an example. And when it comes to ODIs there is Mahi and others who are guiding forces.

They played well. I congratulate Rahul Dravid and the support staff. And also full marks to Venkatesh Prasad and his team for doing a great job. We have been following all their matches and if there is any accommodation needed in the A team we will definitely consider. We have been backing a particular set of players and have been consistent in our selection policy for both the senior team and the A team. 

Prior to the Test series, I said this is the best side that has ever toured SA. The boys have lived up to the expectations. This series could have gone either way. I felt the first two matches, it was very much in our hands. If we really don’t see the result part of it, I think more or less we won the series, for which I am very happy. We have taken 60 wickets and that’s a wonderful thing. The batsmen started playing very well towards the second half of the series. There are quite a few things that we have learnt in terms of how to approach an away series, the preparation part of it and all, there has been a lot of wonderful feedback. Since we are going to play two more away series, we will definitely take the shortcomings from this series and take it forward.