‘He Can Be India’s Future No. 3’: MSK Prasad Makes Bold Prediction About U-19 Batter
MSK Prasad has opined that Shaik Rasheed can be the next number 3 batsman for Team India. The vice-captain of the U-19 World Cup-winning team, Rasheed scored a half-century in ther final.
Yash Dhull-led Team India on Saturday scripted history as they defeated England comprehensively to lift the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022. It was India’s fifth title victory in ICC Under 19 World Cup, which came after an unbeaten campaign in the West Indies.
Many players attracted eyeballs with their impressive show, and one among them was India’s vice-captain Shaik Rasheed. The 17-year-old tested positive for Covid-19 during the course of the tournament and had featured in four World Cup matches, where he accumulated 201 runs at an average of 50.25.
Meanwhile former India chief selector, MSK Prasad heaped praises on Rasheed and said that he is a player for the future and he can be the country’s number 3 batsman going ahead.
Prasad, speaking to Cricbuzz said that Rasheed can do the job in white-ball as well as red-ball cricket.
“He can be our future No. 3 in red ball and white ball cricket,” he told Cricbuzz.
“He likes to score in front of the wicket and bat late, giving himself sufficient time to play the ball. Those are very good qualities. What was most impressive was his temperament. He never looked rattled when India was under pressure.”
After the U-19 World Cup victory, Shaik Rasheed stated his intentions of improving his game to reach new heights.
“We have just won the Under 19 World Cup and we are over the moon. The victory was a tribute to the bonding among the players and the coaches who ensured we stayed here (in the Caribbean) like a family. My future… I will take it the way it comes. I need to improve my game and I will work on it,” the Andhra boy had told Cricbuzz.
The 17-year-old was one of the consistent players in all the three knockout matches India played in the tournament. He smacked 26 off 59 balls in a low-scoring game against Bangladesh in the quarterfinal and went on to add a crucial 108-ball 94 in the semifinal against Australia while in the finals, he smashed a half-century and helped India chase the total.
