T20 World Cup 2024: MSK Prasad not happy with Sanju Samson's selection; launch scathing attack on selectors for ignoring Rinku Singh

Former Indian chief selector MSK Prasad was not happy with the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee’s disappointed decision to leave out KL Rahul and Rinku Singh from their preliminary squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

On May 1, the BCCI announced the 15-member preliminary squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, which will be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies from June 1. The Indian selectors picked Sanju Samson as a backup wicketkeeper for the upcoming mega event, and Prasad feels Rahul could be an ideal candidate than Kerala star in the Indian line-up.

The former Indian wicketkeeper-batter said that Samson was picked in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad on the back of his current form in the ongoing IPL 2024, but Rahul is also in great form and deserved a place in the team, especially given his exception job in the past behind the stumps.

I felt KL deserved a place in T20 World Cup 2024 squad: MSK Prasad

MSK Prasad was quoted as saying by Revsportz: “I might sound biased but KL (Rahul) is one guy who would have fit in any role. Probably, the selectors went in with Sanju’s recent form in IPL. Sanju has done well in the recent past, too. Personally, I would have felt KL, too, could have done that job.

He has done very well both with the bat and behind the wickets during the 50 overs World Cup and in the IPL matches so far. He took some outstanding catches and started leading the side very well. Maybe, an extra spinner was not needed. I think the composition was spot on except for that extra spinner. I felt KL deserved a place.”

Meanwhile, Prasad also slammed the Indian selectors for not including Rinku Singh in India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, despite the fact that he has been doing exceptionally well for the Men in Blue ever since he made his T20I debut last year.

However, Rinku has been named as a traveling reserve along with Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan, and Khaleel Ahmed for the mega event. Prasad admitted that Rinku, Rahul, and Shubman Gill closely missed out on the T20 World Cup 2024 berths.

Hard to digest the fact Rinku has been ignored: MSK Prasad

Furthermore, the former Indian chief selector praised the Indian selectors for their clarity in picking spinners for the showpiece event, but unfortunately, this decision led to Rinku missing out. Well, Prasad said that there is no one better finisher than Rinku in India presently, so he is disappointed with his snub.

He stated, “The selectors were very clear that in the Caribbean and the USA the wickets will assist the spinners during the latter part of the summer. I think that is the only reason in going for an extra spinner, Axar Patel. That is the reason Rinku had to miss out.

See if you look at the players who fit in the role as finishers, I think there is no one better than Rinku now in India. I also feel it is a little unfortunate and hard to digest the fact Rinku has been ignored.”

Here's India’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024:

Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj

Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan