How Jasprit Bumrah got selected for Tests; MSK Prasad reveals

Mumbai: BCCI’s chief selector, MSK Prasad, who is on his way out of the selection committee has received a lot of flak over his and his panel of selectors’ decisions regarding the selection of players as well as their lack of experience at the international level.

But, one decision that the committee has often been lauded for is their decision of selecting Jasprit Bumrah to represent India in Tests. That decision has gone a long way in helping Bumrah reach the top level and create his name as one of the best bowlers of his generation across all three formats.

In an interview with Mumbai Mirror, he spoke about the process of Bumrah’s selection for the longest format. He said, “Not many believed that he (Bumrah) could play Test cricket. So when the selectors and the team management realised that a bowler like him can be handy when we toured abroad, we set him on fitness and grooming regime.”

He also talked about the first that Bumrah got his chance in Tests. He said, “We rested him from a limited-overs series and made him play Ranji before we picked him for the South Africa series. So there was planning that went behind Bumrah.”

Prasad and Co were also responsible for the inclusion of Hardik Pandya in India’s Test squad. On this, he said, “There was certain planning that went behind Hardik Pandya’s introduction into Tests. Again not many believed that a guy who comes from T20 background could go on to play Test cricket.”