Chandu Borde surprised at new panel's lack of Test experience

When Chandu Borde picked MSK Prasad to represent India in the 1999-2000 home series against New Zealand as well for the tour of Australia that very season, little did he realise that in 17 years' time, the same man would be in the same big seat as chairman of selectors

Chandu Borde

When Chandu Borde picked MSK Prasad to represent India in the 1999-2000 home series against New Zealand as well for the tour of Australia that very season, little did he realise that in 17 years' time, the same man would be in the same big seat as chairman of selectors.

Borde was grilled by the media during the 1999 India vs New Zealand Test at Ahmedabad where he and his committee picked Prasad as India's wicketkeeper instead of Nayan Mongia, who had played 40 Tests till then.

Yesterday, Borde expressed surprise at the BCCI's decision to appoint a committee which lacked Test experience. Chairman Prasad has played six Tests, Devang Gandhi four, Sarandeep Singh three while Jatin Paranjape and Gagan Khoda have not played Test cricket.

"To be honest, I am surprised. All this while I was under the impression that only Test players could be selectors. "I must say they have a huge challenge on their hands," said Borde from Pune. The batting great of the 1950s and 1960s was one of the captains invited for India's 500th Test at Kanpur today, but he chose not to go since he is a bit ill.

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