'It was a touch and go issue': MSK Prasad finally breaks silence on Ambati Rayudu’s omission from World Cup 2019 squad

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief selector MSK Prasad has finally expressed his thoughts on Ambati Rayudu's exclusion from India's ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 squad.

During an interview with the Sportstar, the outgoing chief selector claimed that the selection committee always felt that the 34-year-old was on the radar of Test selection but his selection in the World Cup squad was a very 'touch and go issue'.

“I felt seriously for Rayudu. I can clearly say that. It was very touch and go issue. Our committee always felt that he should be on the radar of Test selection after the 2016 Zimbabwe tour," Prasad said.

"And, I spoke to him as to why he was not focussing on Test cricket. If you remember, based on the IPL performances, we picked him for ODIs, which may not look appropriate to many.”

Rayudu was not picked in India's squad for the 50-over World Cup in England after being tipped as the team's top choice for a middle-order batting spot.

He was not considered as a replacement even when India lost opener Shikhar Dhawan and Vijay Shankar to injuries, with Rishabh Pant and Mayank Agarwal called up instead, despite being named as one of the five stand-bys for the tournament.

The right-handed batsman also announced his retirement from the sport but made himself available again for selection just 58 days into it.

“Then, we focussed on his fitness for one month at the NCA, helped him there. He has delivered to an extent."

"Unfortunately, I am also hurt at what happened to him (apparently referring to the 2019 World Cup selection when Rayudu was ignored) having played with him. I feel bad for him,” he added.