Former pacer Venkatesh Prasad has emerged as a staunch critic of the Indian team, particularly KL Rahul in recent times.

Earlier this year, Prasad posted long threads criticizing the Indian team management for giving under-fire Rahul a long rope in the side when other in-form players are waiting to get a chance in the XI. In fact, he engaged in a war of words with former India opener Aakash Chopra, who questioned the relentless criticism of Rahul.

KL Rahul was out of action in the last few months due to thigh surgery and extended rehabilitation. On Monday (August 21), the wicketkeeper-batter was named in India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad.

A day after the announcement of India’s Asia Cup squad, Prasad took to social media platform X and extended his best wishes to the Indian team and Rahul for the upcoming ODI World Cup at home.

Venkatesh Prasad shared a picture with Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty, who happens to be Rahul’s father-in-law, and captioned it as: "Visited the Swami Narayan temple in New Jersey with Anna. Prayed for well being of all Bharatvasis & for the Indian Team to do well in the World Cup. Also secretely prayed for KL to smash it to all corners, have a great world cup and silence his critics like me. Sab khush rahein."

Prasad’s post went viral on X and drew hilarious reactions from the netizens.

Here are the reactions:

While announcing India’s Asia Cup squad, chief selector Ajit Agarkar told media that KL Rahul has picked up a fresh niggle, which might rule him out of the first few matches of Asia Cup.

While the continental tournament is slated to get underway on August 30 in Multan, India will begin their campaign on September 2 in Pallekele.