In the ongoing 4-match test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India has defeated Australia in the first two matches. In both matches, India defeated Australia very easily in just two and a half days. In such a situation, it is obvious that many Indian players must have performed brilliantly, but so far the worst for the Indian team in this series has been the poor form of KL Rahul. However, KL Rahul was going through a bad form even before this series.
KL Rahul’s form is bad in this series. He scored just 18 runs in both innings of the Delhi Test match while he also scored just 20 runs in the Nagpur Test match. This means that in the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, KL have so far only scored 38 runs in 3 innings of 2 matches. Due to this form of KL, two former cricketers from India have now clashed. On one side is former Indian fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad and on the other side is former batsman Akash Chopra.
On February 18, Venktesh Prasad made several tweets one after another about KL Rahul’s poor form. The former fast bowler first wrote that “I have a lot of respect for KL Rahul’s ability and potential, but it is sad to say that his performance has been very poor. After spending more than 8 years in international cricket, 46 To average just 34 in test matches is a very average performance.”
Also, Venkatesh Prasad wrote that talented players do not get a chance to join the playing XI. Shikhar averaged 40 in the Tests and Mayank had over 41, including two double centuries. Shubmal Gill is racing in excellent shape. Sarfaraz Khan is also scoring centuries in first-class cricket and there are plenty of players out there who deserve a chance before KL Rahul.
Prasad further said that his presence in the team shakes people’s faith in justice. Shivsundar Das and Sadagopan Ramesh were also very talented, both averaging over 38, but still didn’t get a chance to play more than 23 Test matches. Rahul’s continued presence in the team sends the message that there is a shortage of good batsmen in India, which is not correct. His average is less than 27 in 47 innings over the past five years.
This former match winning player from India said that according to me he is not one of the top 10 starting batsmen in India right now. Players like Kuldeep Yadav have to go down in the next match even after being man of the match. KL Rahul is by no means a match winner for India at the moment.
Akash Chopra has given the response to these ongoing attacks on Venkatesh Prasad’s Twitter. Akash Chopra first targeted Venkatesh on his YouTube channel and then the debate started between the two on Twitter as well. While speaking on his YouTube channel, Akash said, “As soon as KL Rahul comes out in a short run, he starts trending on Twitter. Everyone wants to comment and criticize it.” Further, Akash said: “I think Venkatesh Prasad’s tweet has added fuel to the fire. He is a former cricketer, he should know not to criticize a cricketer in the middle of a match.” one entry to the end. You can definitely have your say on any player after the game.”
Following this, Akash Chopra also responded to Venkatesh Prasad’s tweet and said, Venky Bhai Test match is on how about you at least let both innings finish we all belong to one team i.e. India. I’m not asking you to withdraw your opinion. But his timing could have been better, after all, our game is all about “time”.
In response to this tweet from Akash, Venkatesh Prasad said:
To be honest, it doesn’t matter, Akash. According to me, even if he scores a half century in the second innings, that’s a fair criticism. There is no point between the game and after the game. Best wishes for your beautiful videos on youtube. I enjoy them
After this, on February 19, i.e. today, Venkatesh said in another tweet that some people think that I have some personal enmity with KL Rahul. In fact, it is quite the opposite indeed. I wish him the best, and being in this kind of shape will never take away from your confidence. Now the domestic season is over too.
The former India bowler said that like Pujara, KL Rahul needs to score runs playing county cricket in England and cement his place in the team. The best answer would be for him to try his best to play Test cricket for the country and get back into shape. But is it possible for him to leave the IPL?