Former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad has not minced his words while criticising KL Rahul of late. Prasad was critical of Rahul's batting in Test cricket after his long poor run that led to Shubman Gill replacing him. As Rahul played a match-winning unbeaten 75 in first ODI of three-ODI series against Australia, Prasad received a lot of flak despite the pacer praising him for the knock. Prasad who even got involved in a Twitter scuffle with Aakash Chopra over Rahul’s numbers does not regret stating facts.
“I’ve got nothing against anybody but it’s just that whatever I feel I say it. Few people take it; few don’t. It’s up to them. It’s not that I’ve only spoken about KL Rahul. I even expressed my opinion over Sarfaraz Ahmed as well who has been performing brilliantly. I am sure that I didn’t cross the line, as simple as that. Few people have taken it very seriously and few have criticised,” Prasad told CNN News 18.
The 53-year-old revealed that he has been following Rahul for his early days. He feels that the Karnataka batter has not done justice to his talent but believes that he is capable of turning it around.
“Look I’ve got great respect and regard for KL Rahul. I’ve seen him since his Under-16 days – almost for 15 years. Having followed and worked with him at different stages, be it in Karnataka, at NCA or with the Indian team.
“He was given a long rope and that’s fair enough for the kind of potential that he has. But he has not lived up to the talent that he has. I am sure it will get better in the next few months but having said that, I have not been harsh; I had to say what I felt,” he further added.
Rahul had not crossed the 25-run mark in 10 consecutive Test innings. He had to warm the benches for the last two Tests of Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In the absence of an injured Rishabh Pant who survived a horrific incident on December 30, 2022 morning, Rahul has been donning the gloves in ODI format as well. There have been calls to include Rahul in playing eleven for World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia as wicketkeeper-batter in place of Srikar Bharat.
