Former India cricketers Aakash Chopra and Venkatesh Prasad engaged in a war of words over the form of current India opener and Test vice-captain KL Rahul. Chopra came out in defense of the Karnataka batter after Prasad had made scathing criticism of his 1st innings knock.
Rahul has been battling poor form since his last Test century came against South Africa in Centurion in 2021 and since then he has received huge backing from team management to keep his place in the XI.
However, in recent times, his form has fallen away altogether and questions were raised when he was preferred in the first two Tests against Australia of the ongoing series over in-form batter Shubman Gill.
The 30-year-old batter’s average of 34.08 after 45 Tests, as well as his consistency, has seen critics questioning his position in the team.
KL Rahul had made 20 runs in the lone Indian innings in the first Test in Nagpur and made 17 in the first innings of the second Test in Delhi.
Quoting his own thread, blasting Rahul for his poor run, Prasad tweeted again to criticize Rahul.
“And the torrid run continues. More to do with rigidity of the management to persist with a player who just hasn’t looked the part. No top order batsman in atleast last 20 years of Indian cricket has played these many tests with such a low average," he wrote.
“His inclusion is deliberately denying talented guys, in form guys an opportunity to be in the 11. Shikhar had a test avg of 40+ , Mayank has of 41+ with 2 double hundreds, Shubhman Gill in sublime form, Sarfaraz never ending wait.. Many domestic performances constantly ignored," he added.
“His inclusion shakes belief in Justice. SS Das had great potential,so did S Ramesh,both avgd 38+but did not get beyond 23 test matches. Rahul’s consistent inclusion gives an impression of lack of batting talent in India which isn’t true. Last 5 years his avg is below 27 in 47 inn," he wrote.
“As per me ,he is currently not amongst the current 10 best opener’s in India but is being given endless chances. Guys like Kuldeep Yadav put in man of the match performances and next game are dropped with theories like Horses for courses. In any course ,KL is not a horse. Sad," he added.
However, this criticism of Rahul didn’t sit well with Aakash Chopra, who pointed out to Prasad that the second Test match was still going on and though Rahul had failed in the first innings, there was still one more innings to go and it was not correct to slam a batter in the middle of a match.
“Venky Bhai, Test match chal raha hai (Test is still underway). How about, at least, waiting for both the innings to get over. All of us are in the same team i.e. Team India. Not asking you to hold back your thoughts but timing could be a little better. After all, our game is all about the ‘timing,’ Chopra tweeting.
However, Prasad replied: “Honestly doesn’t matter , Aakash. In my view it is very fair criticism even if he scores a half century in the second innings . And between the match or after the match is irrelevant here. Best wishes for your lovely videos on YT, i do enjoy them.”
Incidentally, KL Rahul failed to score in the second innings as well, as he was dismissed in a freak way for 1 run as his shot hit the fielder at short leg on the knee and lobbed to Carey for an easy catch.
