"Won't be surprised if Sanju Samson opens in ODIs," predicts MSK Prasad | EXCLUSIVE

MSK Prasad also conceded Sanju Samson has no competition with Suryakumar Yadav in ODI setup.

Indian cricket team have failed to win an ICC Title in the last 10 years after ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Since then, India lost four ICC event finals including two World Test Championships. The next big ICC event is just around the corner and fans are eagerly waiting for the upcoming World Cup in India to end their wait for an ICC title.

Former Indian chief selector MSK Prasad in an exclusive chat with Khel Now's Kartik Mehindru, expressed that Team India lacked that one finishing touch in the ICC events and despite playing brilliantly they remained empty handed but the upcoming World Cup will end the wait. India will open their World Cup 2023 campaign against Australia at the Chepauk in Chennai on 8th October. 

India empty-handed in ICC events in last 10 years

Former Indian wicket-keeper MSK Prasad said, “It is unfortunate that despite playing so good cricket in the ICC events, we are empty-handed. Also New Zealand since 1975 have failed to get that finishing touch as well and failed in the semifinals most of the time. India just need that one finishing touch to be champions and definitely in the next World Cup we will get there”.

India lost the 2014 World T20 Final against Sri Lanka, the 2017 Champions Trophy Final against Pakistan, the 2021 World Test Championship Final against New Zealand, 2023 World Test Championship Final against Australia. In the previous two editions of the 50 Overs World Cups, India were knocked down in the semi-finals. 

'Sanju Samson might open the innings with Rohit Sharma'

Talking about India’s Number 4 conundrum, MSK Prasad said that Suryakumar Yadav will be given preference over the others, while he will not be surprised to see Sanju Samson opening the innings along with captain Rohit Sharma. Prasad said, “Surya is already there, I don't think there will be a competition between Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav. Sanju is a top order batter and Surya is middle order number 4 and number 5 batter. You never know you can also see Sanju Samson can open along with Rohit Sharma. So i don't think there's any competition between Sanju and Surya, the competition will be between Sanju and a wicket-keeper batsman".

ICC Cricket World Cup is scheduled to start on 5th October in Ahmedabad and the final will be played in the same venue on 19th November. Sri Lanka and the Netherlands have also qualified for the Cricket World Cup in India.