Raina should have scored more runs in domestic Cricket to make a comeback: MSK Prasad

Former chief selector and Indian wicketkeeper Mannava Prasad gave a clarification about the non selection of Suresh Raina in the Indian team after India’s tour of England in 2018 after Raina’s claims about the MSK Prasad-led selection committee not handling the senior players well during their tenure surfaced.

Raina, who last played in India’s limited overs matches in England in 2018, failed to capitalize on the limited opportunities he got after making a comeback to the Indian side.

Prasad said that he had a conversation with Raina about the same and clarified what he had to do to return to the national team. He told the Hindustan Times, “I had personally spoken to Raina calling him to my room and explained him the roadmap for his future comebacks. He had, back then, appreciated my efforts. I am really surprised when I have heard things which are exactly contrary to what had happened.”

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Raina wasn’t in good form in domestic circuit in the 2018-19 season either to fight for a spot in the Indian side. The left hander could manage only 243 runs in the 5 matches he played in the Ranji Trophy, including 2 fifties. However, his outings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy were better, as he scored 208 runs in 6 games with 3 half centuries at an average of 41.6.

But there were players who performed better and were more consistent and had to be considered according to MSK Prasad. He also cited VVS Laxman‘s example, who scored heavily in domestic cricket after he fell out of favour in 1999, breaking the then record of most runs in a season of the Ranji Trophy. “Unfortunately, we didn’t see that form here in Raina’s case in domestic cricket while other youngsters emerged at the big stage with their brilliant performances in domestic cricket and India A. Take VVS Laxman for example. When he was dropped from the Indian Test squad in 1999, he forced himself back by scoring over 1400 runs in domestic cricket. This is what is expected from senior players when they are dropped,” the 45 year old added.