Former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad has said that he has great respect and regard. This comes after Prasad criticized the team management for persisting with Rahul in Tests despite his timid run of form. The former India pacer made headlines for thrashing the batter left, right, and centre. Prasad shared long Twitter threads explaining how Rahul is not a good fit in the team anymore.
With so much criticism around, the Indian team management finally got rid of Rahul and played Shubman Gill in the final two Tests of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. But Rahul was included in the first ODI against Australia and the wicketkeeper batter proved his selection right straightaway. Rahul scored a match-winning knock of 71* in the first ODI and formed two partnerships with Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja to bail India out of trouble.
Now, when Prasad was asked about his comments on Rahul, the former pacer said that he holds great respect for the wicketkeeper batter. Prasad also explained the reason behind his opinion about the batter.
“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.
“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,” stated Prasad.
Notably, Prasad also praised the batter for his knock in the first ODI as he tweeted: Excellent composure under pressure and a brilliant innings by KL Rahul. Top knock. Great support by Ravindra Jadeja and a good win for India.