MSK Prasad explains why Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal were omitted from T20I squad

New Delhi: India chief selector MSK Prasad has opened up on the omission of spin twins-- Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal from the T20 squad for the West Indies as well as for the upcoming series against South Africa.

On Kuldeep Chahal and Yuzvendra Chahal not being part of the squad, Prasad insisted that they remain in their plans for the T20 World Cup in Australia next year.

"In order to bring variety in the spin bowling department, we have been trying youngsters keeping in view the T20 World Cup. Chahal and Kuldeep have been outstanding performers in the shorter formats in the last two years. They are definitely ahead in the race now. It's just that we are trying a few other options now," added Prasad.

Rahul Chahar and Washington Sundar are part of the T20 squad for the South Africa series beginning in Dharamsala on September 15. They both also travelled to the Caribbean last month.

Prasad also heaped praises on the rise of several youngsters in the shorter formats, including pacer Navdeep Saini.

“In shorter formats, we have seen Shreyas Iyer emerging as a matured batsman who can play to the situations and demands of the team and deliver accordingly. Similarly, we have seen (Navdeep) Saini, Krunal (Pandya), Washington (Sundar) progressing well in shorter formats,” he said.

Prasad also lauded the performances of Hanuma Vihari, Jasprit Bumrah and Ajinkya Rahane in the Caribbean.

“In the longer format, we have seen solid performances from young Vihari. He was clearly the stand out performer in this series apart from Bumrah, who was outstanding with the ball. I am also very happy with the form of Ajinkya Rahane because he is very crucial for the success of the Indian team in this format,” he said.