Indian Cricket: Venkatesh Prasad accuses BCCI of favoritism towards KL Rahul

Indian cricket team made a terrific start to the Border Gavaskar Trophy on Saturday. Rohit Sharma and his men won the Nagpur test by an innings and 132 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. It was the Indian spin trio of Ashwin, Jadeja and Patel with 8 wickets amongst them that won the game for India. Australia were all out for 91 as they failed to last one session to give India a famous win. One player from India though is under pressure and that’s none other KL Rahul.

The story so far –

KL Rahul was in the news recently for his marriage to Indian Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty. The 30 year old has been in the news for his prolonged bad form with the bat. Rahul hasn’t scored a test half century since his the 50 against South Africa early 2022. In the first test, Rahul was out for 20 falling to debutant Todd Murphy giving him an easy return catch.

Venkatesh Prasad loses his cool at KL Rahul –

Former Indian pacer and fast bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad has called out BCCI yet again. After slamming the selectors for not picking Sarfaraz Khan, the former right arm seamer has called out the selectors for sticking with KL Rahul. In a series of Tweets posted by Prasad, the Indian legend made some points to pounder for the five wise men.

Prasad first wrote “Rahul’s selection is not based on performance but favoritism. He has been consistently inconsistent and for someone who has been around for 8 and not converted potential into performances”

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 IPL favoritism the reason?

KL Rahul was in amazing form for Lucknow Super Giants during the TATA IPL 2022 season. captaining the side, Rahul scored over 600 with 2 centuries, with both the tons coming against Mumbai Indians. Speaking about this Prasad said “one of the reason many ex-cricketers aren’t vocal about despite seeing such favoritism is the chances of losing potential IPL gigs. They wouldn’t want to rub the captain of franchise the 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 and people don’t want to be told the truth”

Change in guard for vice captaincy?

KL Rahul was given the vice-captaincy and went onto captain the side during the Bangladesh series. Rohit Sharma’s finger injury meant that Rahul led the side and led India to a 2-0 series win. Prasad though wants to see a change in the vice captaincy and tweeted “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 so did Vihari”

Is BCCI not allowing people to succeed?

Prasad was vocal in the treatment meted out to Sarfaraz Khan despite the batter scoring truck load of runs. Even an in-form batter like Shubman Gill who has been scoring runs was benched for the 1st test. Agarwal who is playing for Karnataka just scored 249 off 429 balls in the semi-finals of Ranji Trophy against Saurashta.

Prasad lamented and wrote “when there are so many waiting in the wings and in top form. Shubman Gill is in sublime form, Sarfaraz has been scoring runs 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”