IND vs SA Tests: MSK Prasad backs Team India despite loss in the series opener

Former chief selector MSK Prasad

Former national chief selector MSK Prasad has expressed concern over rank-turner pitches and the need to field four spinners in the playing XI after India's defeat to South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Sunday.

"Do we really require rank turners? We should understand that we have beaten the best sides on sporting wickets. Remember, from 2015 to 2017 [vs SA and Sri Lanka], that was the period when pacers Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammed Shami used to rip through batting line-ups. Even on decent flat wickets. I always feel that when you give a turning track, you are giving the opposition a 50-50 chance," Prasad told mid-day over the phone from Hyderabad.

‘Need to stand by our team'

The former India wicketkeeper-batter wants the team management to focus on getting the balance right. "My heart is with the Indian team because when we lose, that's when we need to stand by our team. This is a transition phase. We also need to understand that the RoKo [Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli] combination is not there anymore, R Ashwin is gone, Mohammed Shami isn't being picked, all senior pros are gone. That's the kind of transition that's happening. But I'm sure these youngsters have a lot of potential," said Prasad, who has played six Tests and 17 ODIs.

‘Sporting tracks, please'

"So, get your combinations right. That's very important. Time and again, we are making the mistake of preparing rank turners just because we win and get the points and get into the World Test Championship final or something. But it is boomeranging. It is better to play on good, sporting tracks," he concluded.