10 Facts about Venkatesh Prasad that you didn’t know

Venkatesh Prasad, the man behind India’s successful bowling in the late 1990s, has more or less remained outside the glittering world of media limelight in his career. But, this doesn’t cut short his relevance under any manner. The world is well aware about the lethal seam movements that the lanky fast bowler was able to generate during those days.

Though, the fast bowler represented India for just 7 years, yet his meticulous bowling skills is still considered one of the best as far as India’s fast bowling is concerned.

Venkatesh Prasad, the man behind India’s successful bowling in the late 1990s, has more or less remained outside the glittering 10 interesting facts about Venkatesh Prasad that you didn’t know.

1. Full Name: The world knows him by the name Venkatesh Prasad, but his real and full name is Bapu Krishnarao Venkatesh Prasad. In fact, in many official meetings and functions he is being referred to as Mr. B.K.V Prasad.

2. Stunning Spell: His befitting reply to Aamir Sohail’s jibe in the high voltage India Vs Pakistan clash at 1996 World Cup, when he bowled out the Pakistan opener very next ball after being hit for a boundary is known to everyone. But, his stunning bowling spell of 5 wickets for 0 runs against Pakistan at Chennai test in 1999 is still unknown to many. His actual bowling figure was 6/33 after the end of the match.

3. Missed Milestone: Venkatesh Prasad played his last game when he was just 32-year. He played 33 tests and 161 ODIs – claiming 96 and 196 wickets respectively. Interestingly, he missed both the milestones of 100-test wickets and 200-ODI wickets respectively, which would have been an illustrious achievement either way.

4. Awards: Venkatesh Prasad is the recipient of prestigious Arjuna Award that he received in the year 2000. He was also declared Ceat International Cricketer of the Year in 1996/97, just within two years of his debut in cricket. He also won 2 Man-of-the-match awards in his cricket career.

Quick Link – Watch the epic battle between Prasad and Sohail

5. Acting Stint: Yes, Venkatesh Prasad has acted in the Kannada movie Sachin! Tendulkar Alla, released in 2014. He played the role of a cricket coach in the film. It is indeed a one of those facts about which you haven’t heard before. His former bowling partner Javagal Srinath has also acted in this film.

6. Coaching Stint: Venkatesh Prasad was immediately appointed as team India’s bowling coach after India’s disappointing exit from 2007 Cricket World Cup. However, it didn’t last long as BCCI shockingly relieved him from the duty just after two years in 2009.

7. Behind CSK’s success in IPL: Venkatesh Prasad has never played any IPL matches as a player. But he has represented Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as its bowling coach when the team’s performance was at its peak. Currently, the former cricketer is enjoying his stint as a bowling coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team.

8. A supportive bowler: Despite all skills and talents, Venkatesh Prasad never opened the bowling for India in his career. Rather, he enjoyed bowling with Javagal Srinath from the other end. While, Javagal Srinath’s fast pace troubled batsmen a lot, it was Venatesh Prasad’s seam movement that confused them even more. As a spearhead Venkatesh Prasad took just 19-test wicket, contrarily to his 77 as a supportive fast bowler.

9. No wicket in his 1st ODI: Venkatesh Prasad’s bowling seemed absolutely hapless in front of Mighty New Zealand at Christchurch in Prasad’s maiden ODI in 1994. However, the talented bowler proved his worth only at his fifth ODI when he picked 3 for 36 against West Indies.

10. Terrific Test debut: Two years later, Venkatesh Prasad was included in the India’s squad for England tour in 1996. With favourable bowling condition Prasad created an impact with his impressive 6 for 121 in his very first test match against England. Overall, his debut test series was excellent as he amassed 15 wickets at an impressive bowling average of 25.