After Venkatesh Prasad’s Dig At KL Rahul’s Overseas Records, Ex-India Batter Counters

India opener KL Rahul has been a constant topic of discussion among fans and experts of the game. His poor performance with the bat made him a favorite target of critics, with former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad taking shots at him, as well as the team management backing him. Prasad on Monday also questioned Rahul’s notion of ‘overseas performances’, suggesting that the batsman averages only 30 in 56 innings outside India. However, another former India batsman Aakash Chopra has now refuted Prasad’s claims.

“It is believed that KL Rahul has a great overseas Test record. But the statistics say otherwise. He has a Test average of 30 in 56 innings overseas. He has scored 6 overseas hundreds but has had a string of low scores thereafter , so average 30,” Prasad had said on Monday with a graphical representation of Rahul’s figures.

There is an opinion that KL Rahul’s overseas test record is excellent. But the figures speak something else. He has a Test average of 30 overseas in 56 innings. He has scored 6 overseas hundreds but averages 30 with a series of low scores after that. Let’s look at some others. pic.twitter.com/MAvHM01TcY

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) February 20, 2023

On Tuesday, Chopra hit back, saying that it is the number of Karnataka batsmen in the army countries that has earned him the backing of the team management.

“Indian batsmen in Army countries. Maybe, that’s why selectors/coaches/captains are backing KLR. He has played 2 Tests at home during this period (current BGT) No, I as selector/coach BCCI I don’t need any mentor, coaching role in any IPL team,” Chopra said while sharing Rahul’s figures in SENA countries.

Indian batsmen in SENA countries. This is probably the reason why the selectors/coaches/captains are backing KLR. They have played 2 Tests (BGT ongoing) at home during this period
No I don’t need BCCI role as selector/coach
I don’t even need any mentor, coaching role in any IPL team pic.twitter.com/qV6qo6Plvt

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 21, 2023

This is not the first time that Chopra and Prasad differ on their views on KL Rahul. Earlier, the batsman-turned-pundit had asked the former fast bowler to wait till the Delhi Test is over before issuing his opinion on Rahul. Prasad replied that it did not matter.

“Venky bhai, Test match is going on. At least, how to wait for both the innings to get over. We all are in same team i.e. Team India. Not asking you to hold back your thoughts, but time could be the one.” Slightly better. Ultimately, our sport is all about ‘timing’,” Chopra had said.

“Honestly doesn’t matter, Aakash. In my view, it’s a very fair criticism even if he scores a half-century in the second innings. And in the middle of the match or after the match is irrelevant here. Best wishes for your lovely video. ” YT, I enjoy them,” Prasad wrote in response.

Honestly doesn’t matter, Sky. I think it is a very fair criticism even if he scores a half-century in the second innings. And between matches or after matches is irrelevant here. Cheers for your lovely videos on YT, I enjoy them. https://t.co/bkVGSEeg5w

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) February 19, 2023

After the conclusion of the Second Test in New Delhi, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued a communique that removed the label ‘vice-captain’ from Rahul’s name. This decision indicates that Rahul’s shares in the Indian team have declined.

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