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Mannava Sri Kanth Prasad

MSK Prasad

The list of Indian wicketkeepers is long and illustrious. The deeds of Sen, Tamhane, Engineer, Kirmani and Mongia have all been well documented in the history of Indian cricket. And by his performances in the few months that he has succeeded to the post of the country's leading stumper, Mannava Sri Kanth Prasad bids fair to join the ranks of outstanding Indian wicket keepers.

Guntur born Prasad started keeping wickets at a very early age and at the age of 16 he was picked by the Andhra Cricket Association to play in representative matches. He first established himself as a wicketkeeper of great potential in the Cooch Behar Trophy. Prasad came into national reckoning during the 1997-98 India A tour of Pakistan and was rated very highly by the team's coach, former Indian captain K.Srikkanth. All the time his batting continued to improve and he made his one day international debut against Bangladesh at Mohali in the Coca Cola triangular series in 1997-98.

Prasad got his big break in August this year when with Mongia out of contention with an injury he was chosen as the team's wicketkeeper for the tours of Sri Lanka and Singapore. He did well enough to retain his place for the DMS Cup at Toronto and the LG Cup in Nairobi. He struck a purple patch when he had five victims behind the stumps - four catches and one stumping - against Kenya in the LG Cup. And to prove that he was also a capable bat, Prasad scored an impressive 63 in India's gallant but ultimately futile run chase against South Africa in the LG Cup final. Promoted in the batting order, he anchored the innings in exemplary fashion against the strong South African bowling attack of Pollock, Kallis, Klusener, Crookes and Elworthy until, running out of partners, he was run out.

Even though Mongia was fit enough for selection, Prasad's work in the one day games had obviously impressed the selectors and he made his Test debut against New Zealand at Mohali in October. He did well enough to retain his place through the three Test series. And at the end of the series, he was again picked ahead of Mongia for the tour of Australia. The selectors' had enough confidence in the 24-year-old Prasad to send him as the lone stumper on a long tour. There is little doubt that in the dapper Prasad, Indian cricket have an uncovered an outstanding stumper with a future.