MSK Prasad

It is never easy to force yourself into the Indian team when playing for one of the weaker state sides in the country and it is to MSK Prasad's credit that after coming through the ranks, he made it to the national squad on merit.

The dapper cricketer from Guntur was interested in keeping wicket from a very early age and working himself up from state juniors to the Ranji Trophy squad, Prasad made the India A team. He first came into national reckoning on the India A tour of Pakistan in 1997-98 and coach K Srikkanth spoke highly of his capabilities. All the time he was improving with the bat and before the season was out he had made his international debut for the senior squad in one-day games.

The injury to Nayan Mongia, following the 1999 World Cup gave Prasad his big chance and he grabbed it with both gloves. In the 1999-2000 season he played in six Tests, three against New Zealand at home and three in Australia, acquiting himself creditably, besides playing in many ODI's. He was preferred to Mongia even after the latter was fit. Following the Australian tour however he was dropped after averaging just over eight with the bat. He played seven more seasons for Andhra in the Ranji Trophy, and captained in side in his final season, before deciding to call it quits.

The 2002-03 season was his best as he scored 754 runs, including two hundreds and five half-centuries, and effected 32 dismissals from 11 matches - it was the only time in his career he averaged over 40 with the bat. In 2015, six years after his final first-class game, Prasad was appointed to India's selection panel and in 2016 became its chief.