Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad has slammed the Indian cricket team selection committee on KL Rahul 'favouritism' in Test cricket. The former cricketer took to Twitter to post a series of tweets, launching a scathing attack on India's 'vice-captain in Tests' KL Rahul for his poor run in the longest format, while pointing out that likes of Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal and Sarfaraz Khan are knocking on the doors with better performances.
Rahul played a 20-run innings against Australia in the Nagpur Test. He has scored just 137 runs in 8 innings since 2022, which includes one fifty and is also the only 30-plus score. The batter has been struggling to score runs in all three formats and is now running out of time.
Taking to Twitter, Prasad wrote, "I have a lot of regard for KL Rahul’s talent and ability, but sadly his performances have been well below par. A test average of 34 after 46 tests and more than 8 years in international cricket is ordinary. Can’t think of many who have been given so many chances. Especially..
"When there are so many waiting in the wings & in top form. Shubhman Gill is in sublime form, Sarfaraz has been scoring tons in FC cricket and many who deserve a chance ahead of Rahul. Some are just lucky to be given chances endlessly till they succeed while some aren’t allowed to."
"And to make matters worse, Rahul is the designated vice-captain. Ashwin has a great cricketing brain, should be the vice captain in the Test format. If not him should be Pujara or Jadeja. Mayank Agarwal had a far better impact than Rahul in Tests and so did Vihari.
"Rahul’s selection is not based on performance but favouritism . Has been consistently inconsistent and for someone who has been around for 8 years not converted potential into performances," he further added.
"One of the reasons why many ex-cricketers aren’t vocal despite seeing such favouritism is the chances of losing out on potential IPL gigs. They wouldn’t want to rub the captain of a franchisee wrong way,as in today’s age most people like yes men and blind approvers. Often well wishers are your best critics but times have changed & people don’t want to be told truth," Prasad in his final tweet wrote.