India's all-round brilliance sealed series, says M.S.K. Prasad

In a chat with Sportstar, the former India wicket-keeper said it was a complete, all-round performance which helped India clinch the ODI series against Australia in style.

The chairman of selectors refused to entertain any questions on whether fitness and not just consistent performances, will have greater emphasis in selection.

BCCI Chairman of the National Cricket Selection committee M.S.K. Prasad says it is a ''double delight" with India clinching an emphatic win over Australia in the one-day series and also becoming the World No. 1 side in the limited-overs format. 

In a chat with Sportstar , the former India wicket-keeper said it was a complete, all-round performance which helped the team clinch the series in style.

"I don't think there was any one department where India failed to excel. Every player who was given the chance contributed to the team's success and I am glad as the chairman of the panel to see this team perform so well," he said at Mulapadu Cricket Complex after India A wrapped up a 2-0 win in the two-match Test series against New Zealand A.

"I don't want to engage in any sort of comparison on how this Virat Kohli-led Indian team will be rated with any other previous teams. What is important and immensely satisfying is that it is producing the results for which we are all looking for," said a smiling Prasad.

He gently refused to entertain any questions on whether fitness and not just consistent performances, will have greater emphasis in selection. "Let us leave it please," he said.

Read: Kiwis surrender to spin, lose 2-0 to India-A

Prasad attributed India-A's stellar performance to head-coach Rahul Dravid. "I repeat that to appoint Rahul as the India-A coach by the BCCI as one of the best things to have happened to the Indian team," he said. 

"It is not just about imparting cricketing skills when it comes to Rahul that is important. More valuable is the mental toughness he is trying to pass on to the young talent. And, I tell you, he is doing a great job," were Prasad's compliments to Dravid.

"Yes, the performance of India-A team against New Zealand-A is very creditable given the fact that there are quite a few very good internationals in the visiting side. This should do a world of good to the confidence of someone like Shreyas (Iyer), Bawne (Ankit), the two spinners (Karn and Nadeem)," he felt.

"Well, these are the kind of matches which naturally help us ensure a very strong reserve of talent ready to take up bigger responsibilities," Prasad said.