Former Indian Cricketer Venkatesh Prasad on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Team India management for giving unlimited chances to KL Rahul. Venkatesh Prasadn's comment came at a time when cricketing fans on social media are slamming Rohit Sharma for keeping Shubman Gill out of the team in India vs Australia First Test. Prasad pointed out KL Rahul's stats and stated that an average of 34 after 46 tests in more than 8 years in international cricket is ordinary and his selection is not based on his performance but on favoritism. Notably, in the India vs Australia 1st Test, KL Rahul managed to score only 20 runs and was dismissed by Aussie debutant Tod Murphy. Here's what Venkatesh Prasad said-
"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....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.
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...
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....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."
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
Team India's batting coach on KL Rahul
Vikram Rathour went on the defensive the moment the question about KL Rahul's form cropped up. Was he lucky to be considered in the playing XI despite his poor run of form, Rathour replied: "I won't be able to comment on that." "But he (Rahul) has scored two hundreds in his last 10 Tests – one in England and other in South Africa and also has a couple of fifties. So we are not yet there." For the record, the century in England came in August, 2021 and the one in South Africa in January, 2022. Rahul has had run of poor scores with one 50-plus knock in his last nine innings and rest of scores were all below 25.
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India vs Australia 1st Test
Keeping KL Rahul's issue aside, Team India kickstarted the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 on a winning note, defeating Australia by an innings and 132 runs on Saturday. The series opener at Nagpur’s VCA stadium ended in just three days following an all-round performance showcased by the hosts. Rohit Sharma & Co not only took a 1-0 lead in the series but also inched closer to booking a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The first session of the third day saw a resilient knock from all-rounder Axar Patel, who got in the driver’s seat after India lost Ravindra Jadeja to Todd Murphy. The young spinner, who picked up a 7-wicket haul, cleaned the comeback-man to break the 88-run stand for the 8th wicket. Axar joined hands with Mohammad Shami, stitching a fifty-run partnership for the 9th wicket. The left-hander was gradually inching towards his maiden Test hundred but fell prey to Australia captain Pat Cummins at a score of 84. At the end of Team India's first innings, the hosts were well ahead in terms of lead.
Australia in the second innings yet again did not perform well. Ravichandran Ashwin, who bagged a three-fer in the first innings, provided the opening breakthrough with the dismissal of Usman Khawaja right in his first over. After the early blow, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne looked to rebuild the innings but their resistance lasted for the next 9 overs which was eventually broken by Ravindra Jadeja. The left-armer trapped Labuschagne in front, sparking the collapse of Australia’s batting order. In the end, Australia were bundled on 91 runs.