In a series of Tweets, former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad questioned those backing India's persistence with out-of-form KL Rahul in the ongoing series against Australia owing to an excellent 'overseas Test record'.
Indian opener KL Rahul, who failed to create an impact in ongoing India vs Australia four-match Test series, has been slammed by cricket enthusiasts and critics for his lacklustre form. Several irked followers of Indian cricket have questioned the selectors' and coach Rahul Dravid's persistence in playing the Karnataka lad, despite his poor run with the bat. One such person who has been KL Rahul's staunchest critic is former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad, who has repeatedly questioned Rahul's selection over in-form Shubman Gill, Shikhar Dhawan, etc.
A day after India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after sealing a 6-wicket win over Australia in the second Test in New Delhi, Venkatesh Prasad fired his fresh salvo at KL Rahul on Twitter and criticised the 'overseas Test record' perception that some have of the opening batter.
"There is a view that KL Rahul has an outstanding overseas Test record. But stats speak otherwise. He has a test avg of 30 overseas in 56 innings. He has scored 6 overseas centuries but followed it up with a string of low scores that's why averaging 30. Let's look at a few others," Prasad tweeted with a graphic highlighting KL Rahul's overseas record.
There is a view that KL Rahul has an outstanding overseas Test record. But stats speak otherwise. He has a test avg of 30 overseas in 56 innings. He has scored 6 overseas centuries but followed it up with a string of low scores that’s why averaging 30. Let’s look at a few others pic.twitter.com/MAvHM01TcY
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad)The former India pacer also tweeted statistics of other opening batters -- Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane -- suggesting their numbers are better than KL Rahul's.
"Shikhar Dhawan has the best overseas average amongst recent openers. Avg of nearly 40 with 5 100's. Though he too hasn't been consistent in Test but had Outstanding centuries in SL and NZ, plus a much better home record," Prasad noted.
"Mayank Agarwal after the brilliant start in Aust did struggle in away test matches.But he has by far the best home record. Avg of nearly 70 in 13 innings,2 double 100's & a 150 on a Wankhede pitch where everyone else struggled. Great against spin & had a prolific domestic season," the former Indian pacer continued.
Mayank Agarwal after the brilliant start in Aust did struggle in away test matches.But he has by far the best home record. Avg of nearly 70 in 13 innings,2 double 100’s & a 150 on a Wankhede pitch where everyone else struggled. Great against spin & had a prolific domestic season pic.twitter.com/EJOsZEbOCP
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad)"Shubhman Gill has had a brief international career and in 14 overseas innings averages 37, with his 91 at Gabba amongst the best overseas 4th innings and has been in outstanding form," Prasad added.
"And if overseas performance is a criteria, Ajinkya Rahane despite being out of form and also inconsistent before being dropped had obe of the best overseas Test record, averaging over 40 overseas in 50 test matches. Was out of form and dropped ...," the former Indian pacer noted.
And if overseas performance is a criteria, Ajinkya Rahane despite being out of form and also inconsistent before being dropped had obe of the best overseas Test record, averaging over 40 overseas in 50 test matches. Was out of form and dropped … pic.twitter.com/2Uj5YZe9Cr
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad)In conclusion, Venkatesh Prasad wrote, "But with KL being retained for the remaining 2 test matches, if he is picked in the playing 11, Indore is his best chance of coming back to form and silencing critics like me. Else needs to play county cricket, perform well and make a comeback in the Test side."
But with KL being retained for the remaining 2 test matches, if he is picked in the playing 11, Indore is his best chance of coming back to form and silencing critics like me. Else needs to play county cricket, perform well and make a comeback in the Test side.
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad)KL Rahul has been retained in the Indian squad for the 3rd and 4th Test against Australia in Indore and Ahmedabad, respectively, but no longer enjoys the tag of a 'vice-captain'. However, this has not stopped netizens from reacting to Venkatesh Prasad's fresh salvo at out-of-form KL Rahul.
Here's a look at the meme fest that exploded after the former Indian pacer's latest jibe at the opening batter:
Dhaga Khol Diye Sir 👌 pic.twitter.com/bo1swGzocV
— Ankush Chopra (@Ankschopra86)Kl Rahul 😭 pic.twitter.com/0SUqYcJ7vY
— MSDIAN 🦁🇮🇳 (@MSD_077)Best cover pic for rahul pic.twitter.com/uzRNLI0A7A
— Nitin (@Nitin_srini56)bas karo venkatesh bhai! mere daamaad ko kshama kar do.. pic.twitter.com/LxIUcJbz0z
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt)KL Rahul’s Form These Days !! pic.twitter.com/uWeW4xnV2M
— Ravindra Bisht | रविन्द्र बिष्ट 🇮🇳 (@RavindraBishtUk)Too many words for https://t.co/YhnNl0yF9n pic.twitter.com/K2UIfDQ30G
— sasuke uchiha (@_UchihaSa_)When i am in a 'KL Rahul hating competition' and my opponent is Venkatesh Prasad https://t.co/e7XsnEtgaQ pic.twitter.com/pK28oalYlU
— Anshu Raj (@anshu_raj7)Kl be like: https://t.co/DublSWEAz7 pic.twitter.com/QVT8m3JLoM
— Ujjawal Tripathi (@Ujjawal43712073)Mr when are you going to criticize this man like the way you are criticizing KL Rahul ?
From 8 years this fellow is out of form.
Criticize him also please. https://t.co/ascvFjqTyx pic.twitter.com/NNQYBziKSH
This Lords Test Ton >>> Your Whole Career.
Without Pakistan Wickets you are another Aakash Chopra. https://t.co/FyXgVaxiR9 pic.twitter.com/HkKtFzWX5t
My man is spilling facts after facts. Paga battesinattu unnadu Rahul meeda 🤣 https://t.co/tio10Zw2TE pic.twitter.com/Z6WP9FPtO6
— Gangula Rao (@ImGangulaRao)Where kl stand https://t.co/v9hX2Sl5om pic.twitter.com/rHxpLTDGJJ
— ଆକାଶ ଚ଼ନ୍ଦ୍ର ନାଏକ (@akashchnaik)Imagine if KL reply him with this emoji👇 https://t.co/edrIX4RxHP pic.twitter.com/h59YoODmY4
— Abhishek Yadav (@Abhishek701706)get this man into the selecting committee ! https://t.co/5lG94t1CKX pic.twitter.com/zc7lvDkHSq
— साहेब 🇮🇳 (@saaheb21) to .
Unko bhi upar se pressure hai. ka captain jo hai. pic.twitter.com/PSgNzPPbUI
Venki to Bcci pic.twitter.com/TVBGE2Kyfy
— Hwer (@modyzeee)