Prasad posted lengthy Twitter threads analyzing KL Rahul's numbers.
Venkatesh Prasad, former India pacer, has talked about the outrage over his criticism of India keeper-batter KL Rahul in recent times on Twitter and said that a few people took it very seriously and that he didn’t cross any line.
Prasad had shared numbers and stats showcasing the failure of KL Rahul with the bat in Test cricket during the recent Australia Test series when the Karnataka batter failed to score substantially in the first two Tests of the series in Nagpur and Delhi.
Not only was Prasad vocal about Rahul’s inability to score runs, but also got into a heated argument with Aakash Chopra on the social media platform after the former opener asked him to refrain from spreading his agenda about Rahul.
KL Rahul was dropped from the Indian XI with Shubman Gill opening in his place and also lost his vice-captaincy in both Tests and ODIs.
However, he played a match-winning knock in the first ODI against Australia when India was in trouble chasing a 189-run target in Mumbai and Venkatesh Prasad praised his effort with the bat.
Prasad broke his silence over the matter and mentioned how was criticized for speaking his mind despite ensuring he didn't cross the line.
"I've got nothing against anybody but it's just that whatever I feel I say it. Few people take it; few don't. It's up to them. It's not that I've only spoken about KL Rahul. I even expressed my opinion over Sarfaraz Khan as well who has been performing brilliantly. I have sure that I didn't cross the line, as simple as that. Few people have taken it very seriously and few have criticized," Prasad told CNN News 18.
Prasad pointed out that his criticism of Rahul stemmed from his observation of the Indian cricketer since his early days. He said that he was confident of star India batter changing his fortunes soon.
"Look I've got great respect and regard to KL Rahul. I've seen him since his Under-16 days - almost for 15 years. Having followed and worked with him at different stages be in Karnataka, at NCA or with the Indian team. He was given a long rope and that's fair enough for the kind of potential that he has. But he has not lived up to the talent that he is there. I am sure it will get better in the next few months but having said that, I have not been harsh; I had to say what I felt," stated Prasad.
Rahul will be in action when India faces Australia in the third and series-deciding ODI in Chennai on March 22.