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MSK Prasad: Mayank Agarwal was picked as injury replacement for World Cup 2019 on management request
During the World Cup 2019, Mayank Agarwal, an opener, had been called in to replace Vijay Shankar, a middle order player. This had led to a lot of criticism, but chief selector explains his decision.
A few selection choices for the World Cup 2019 in the Indian team had surprised fans and critics alike, with even the BCCI terming the selection moves as "bizarre". Team India were hampered by two injury concerns during the edition - with Shikhar Dhawan first ruled being out, and then Vijay Shankar fracturing his toe to be ruled out of the World Cup.
Opener Dhawan was replaced by a middle-order player Rishabh Pant, while Shankar, a number 4 batsman, was replaced by opener Mayank Agarwal in the tournament. The lack of clarity among the selectors had been a topic of much debate, but chief selector MSK Prasad cleared all questions, stating that the management requested for the changes accordingly.
“The team management asked for a left-hander, so we picked a middle-order batsman to replace an opener.”
With KL Rahul, who batted in the middle order before Dhawan was injured, opening the innings thereafter, it is clear now that the management was looking to beef up the middle order, which has been a problem area for the Men in Blue for long.
When Shankar was injured, the decision to send Agarwal was explained as well. “The team management sent a written communication to send a cover for Rahul (when Vijay Shankar got injured). So we sent an opener for a middle-order batsman.”
Agarwal has been omitted for the ODI team for the Windies tour that starts from August 3, with Dhawan back to full fitness. He, however, is a part of the Test team. Pant, meanwhile, finds a place in all three formats.
