A challenging job given the vast talent pool: MSK Prasad

Prasad expressed happiness for the ACA-VDCA stadium getting Test status.

Hyderabad: Observing that Indian cricket is going through an age of transformation, newly-appointed national selector MSK Prasad on Monday said selection would be a challenging task given the vast talent pool available in the country.

"Right now, we are in a transformation age. The likes of Sachin (Tendulkar), Sourav (Ganguly), (VVS) Laxman have retired. (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni has retired from Test cricket. It's a transformation stage. When all those people are there, it is easy to select. It is a mere formality.

"Now, to identify fresh talent, to identify players who can go on to become legends, who can go on to serve for the country for long, is not a small thing. With such a vast pool of talent available in the country, that is a big challenge which I will definitely enjoy. Because, from nowhere, Andhra Cricket Association is something today. I am damn sure, with all the talent pool that we have, I think it will be a fantastic thing," Prasad told PTI here.

Prasad, a former wicketkeeper-batsman, said the new job would be challenging though he has been involved in selection with the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) for many years now.

"Definitely, it will be a challenging job. I have been selecting in Andhra for different age groups. Almost all nine age groups, I am a part of selection committee," he said.

Prasad (40) said his elevation goes on to prove that players like him, hailing from small towns, can make it to the national scene.

"I am indebted to our Secretary (of ACA) Gangaraju garu and BCCI for elevating me to the selection panel. I will try and give my best.

"My mere elevation to the national selection panel is an example to all those cricketers coming from rural backgrounds, from smaller states that if I can go onto represent the country and become national selector, with the current day talent they have, they can also achieve anything. I am actually represent players coming from small sectors," he said.

Prasad also expressed happiness for the ACA-VDCA stadium in the port city of Visakhapatnam getting Test status.

"I am extremely happy. We have two good news for Andhra cricket today. We (stadium in Visakhapatnam) got Test status. It is good for Andhra Cricket Association," he said.