When everyone was celebrating India’s great victory against Australia in the first Test match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023 in Nagpur, Venkatesh Prasad raised some serious questions about KL Rahul and his inclusion in the team despite his continuous struggle with the bat.
Notably, Rahul has not been at his best for quite some time and even failed to contribute much in the win against the Aussies as he got out at a score of 20 after facing 71 balls. However, the right-handed batter did not get the opportunity to bat again as the hosts won the contest by 132 runs and an innings.
While the third innings of the match was underway and the Australian batters were struggling against the Indian spinners, veteran fast bowler Prasad took to Twitter and expressed his disappointment as well as concern regarding Rahul’s form in the game.
Prasad posted a thread slamming Rahul on Twitter, pointing out the latter’s Test average and appearances in the format and termed the stat an ordinary one. The 53-year-old former cricketer also named other left-out deserving batters and called the Karnataka player lucky to have been given ‘endless’ chances.
“I have a lot of regard for KL Rahul’s talent and ability, but sadly his performances have been well below par. A test average of 34 after 46 tests and more than 8 years in international cricket is ordinary. Can’t think of many who have been given so many chances. Especially..cont,” posted Prasad on Twitter.
“When there are so many waiting in the wings & in top form. Shubhman Gill is in sublime form,Sarfaraz has been scoring tons in FC cricket and many who deserve a chance ahead of Rahul. Some are just lucky to be given chances endlessly till they succeed while some aren’t allowed to,” he added.
I have a lot of regard for KL Rahul’s talent and ability, but sadly his performances have been well below par. A test average of 34 after 46 tests and more than 8 years in international cricket is ordinary. Can’t think of many who have been given so many chances. Especially..cont
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) February 11, 2023
When there are so many waiting in the wings & in top form. Shubhman Gill is in sublime form,Sarfaraz has been scoring tons in FC cricket and many who deserve a chance ahead of Rahul. Some are just lucky to be given chances endlessly till they succeed while some aren’t allowed to.
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) February 11, 2023
Prasad even asserted that Ravichandran Ashwin should be appointed as the team’s vice-captain in Tests and further wrote that Rahul’s selection is based on favouritism and not performance. The India former speedster did not stop here and called out ex-cricketers who currently are part of the commentary panel.
“And to make matters worse, Rahul is the designated vice-captain. Ashwin has a great cricketing brain, should be the vice captain in the Test format. If not him should be Pujara or Jadeja .Mayank Agarwal had a far better impact than Rahul in Tests and so did Vihari,” said Prasad further in his tweet.
“Rahul’s selection is not based on performance but favouritism . Has been Consistently inconsistent and for someone who has been around for 8 years not converted potential into performances. One of the reasons why many ex-cricketers aren’t vocal despite seeing such favouritism..,” he added.
“is the chances of losing out on potential IPL gigs. They wouldn’t want to rub the captain of a franchisee wrong way,as in today’s age most people like yes men and blind approvers. Often well wishers are your best critics but times have changed & people don’t want to be told truth,” he concluded.
And to make matters worse, Rahul is the designated vice-captain. Ashwin has a great cricketing brain, should be the vice captain in the Test format. If not him should be Pujara or Jadeja .Mayank Agarwal had a far better impact than Rahul in Tests and so did Vihari.
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) February 11, 2023
Rahul’s selection is not based on performance but favouritism . Has been Consistently inconsistent and for someone who has been around for 8 years not converted potential into performances.
One of the reasons why many ex-cricketers aren’t vocal despite seeing such favouritism..— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) February 11, 2023
is the chances of losing out on potential IPL gigs. They wouldn’t want to rub the captain of a franchisee wrong way,as in today’s age most people like yes men and blind approvers. Often well wishers are your best critics but times have changed & people don’t want to be told truth
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) February 11, 2023