A couple of days ago, Sunil Gavaskar took a potshot at India’s selection committee after Virat Kohli and men’s ouster from the CWC 2019. According to him, the selection committee should have conducted a meeting before retaining Virat Kohli as a captain for the upcoming tour of West Indies. “Speaking of lame ducks, the Indian selection committee appears to be one. After the reappointment, he (Captain) gets invited to the meeting for his views on the selecting the players for the team,” had said the veteran cricketer to a newspaper. This statement also implied that Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri are bullying the selection committee led by MSK Prasad. Harsha Bhogle Says Not a Good Idea For Virat Kohli to Support Ravi Shastri While Applications For Team India Head Coach Are Being Invited.

Now, the Chief Selector has come out and has refuted the statement during an interview with an agency. "Shastri and Kohli are the coach and captain of our senior team and Rahul Dravid looks after India A team. They have their roles and responsibilities cut out. We as selection committee have our roles and responsibilities. Working in tandem and in solidarity with Ravi, Virat and Rahul cannot be taken as being bullied,” he said while defending the committee. However, Prasad also mentioned that they do have a difference of opinion but whatever happens in the four walls remains there.

Prasad also explained that Gavaskar’s comments quite unfortunate but are well received and they hold the utmost respect for the veteran cricketer. According to him, comments will only help the committee to get stronger, committed and united. The Indian team lost to New Zealand by 18 runs in the semi-finals of the CWC 2019.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2019 10:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).