Venkatesh Prasad was one of the best bowlers India had from 1994-2001 where he played 161 ODIs and 33 Test matches for the country and formed a potent new-ball attack with fellow statement Javagal Srinath.
One of the unforgettable incidents that everyone associates with Prasad came against Pakistan in the 1996 Wills World Cup. The match was the quarterfinal of the tournament between the two arch-rivals in a packed M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru, Prasad’s hometown.
India batted first and owing to Navjot Singh Sidhu's 93-run knock and Ajay Jadeja's quickfire 25-ball 45 reached 287 total.
Aamir Sohail, who was captaining the Pakistan side in absence of Wasim Akram, and Saeed Anwar went after the Indian bowlers adding 84 runs for the first wicket in no time at all. Sohail was charged with adrenaline, and after hitting Prasad for a four-over point after charging him, gestured with his bat towards the bowler, saying he will hit him at the same spot next ball.
But Prasad had his revenge and the last laugh as he cleaned up Sohail's stumps on the very next ball. Prasad is still remembered for that fabulous duel with Sohail 26 years ago.
On Sunday, a Twitter user reminded Prasad of what Sohail did to him in the 1996 World Cup QFs, sharing a video of Sohail’s gesturing to the India pacer after hitting him for a four.
In reply, Venkatesh Prasad posted: “Yes dear Murad, I do. He was arrogant in this image you posted, you need to see the next ball to know what arrogance can do- Uproot which in Hindi means Ukhaad.”
