Indian cricket team chief selector MSK Prasad revealed why young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant was picked ahead of Ambati Rayudu as injured Shikhar Dhawan’s replacement during the 2019 World Cup.

Pant was initially ignored as Dinesh Karthik was picked in the initial 15-member WC squad, triggering mixed reactions from experts as well as fans.

Pant made his World Cup debut when he took to the field against England in the ICC World Cup clash at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Pant made it to the playing eleven in place of struggling all-rounder Vijay Shankar.

A lot of questions were raised when Rishabh Pant was brought in as replacement for the injured Dhawan. KL Rahul was promoted to opening slot after batting at number 4 slot in India’s first two WC games. After Shankar sustained a toe injury, the all-rounder was eventually replaced with a reserve opener in Mayank Agarwal.

Chief selector MSK Prasad justified BCCI’s actions during the announcement of India squads for Windies tour.

“With regards to the selection, there is a policy that in between the series or mega events like the World Cup, I don’t take press conferences which has led to a lot of speculation,” Prasad said on Sunday.

“When Shikhar Dhawan was injured, we already had a reserve opener in KL Rahul. At that juncture, we didn’t have a left-hander at the top. The team management requested for a lefthander. We had no other choice other than Rishabh Pant. We knew his capability. That’s the reason why we had to bring in a left-hander.

“Subsequently, when Vijay Shankar was injured, why an opener was brought in... that’s the confusion. IN the game against England, KL Rahul fell on his back and he didn’t take the field. There was so much of worry factor. At that juncture, a mail was written that we need a back-up opener. We looked at some of the openers. Some were not in form and some were injured. That’s when we went to Mayank Agarwal,” he added.