Venkatesh Prasad on T20s, Suresh Raina's performance and Rahul Dravid as coach

(L-R) David Johnson, Sunil Joshi, Kiccha Sudeep, Venkatesh Prasad

Looking dapper in blue jeans and fitted white shirt, the tall Venkatesh Prasad towered over everyone at a KPL event as he patiently talked to a crowd of fans and journalists. Prasad is going to play in the Karnataka Premier League this season, along with Sunil Joshi and David Johnson, in Sudeep’s celebrity team.

Prasad was at his witty best and narrated how he got involved with the team. “When he (Sudeep) called I thought it was about acting in another movie. I mean I’ve already done one.” Prasad said when Sudeep asked him if he would play for the Rockstars, he had no idea whether it was KPL or CCL he was talking about. He said that when good friends G K Anil Kumar and Sudeep came home, he couldn’t have said no. But then he started wondering if he did the right thing. “(I) need to start practising”, he said.

“I haven’t played for ten years, I don’t even remember my last game. I don’t even know how far I might contribute”, he said. Prasad said that he was sure that the players in the KPL would be more fit than him at present. “I may look fit, but I am not fit”, he quipped. Prasad said that for the past ten years his focus has been purely on coaching.

Raina’s ‘wrong way’ of getting into the team

Talking about his coaching experience, Prasad said that he has coached Indian teams at various levels and that he sees tremendous potential in these youngsters. He said that the number of T20 leagues provides good opportunity for them. “You have to go with the times. They (the young players) don’t even want to play ODIs (only T20s).” He also described the T20 format as a ‘medium where they can express themselves’.

Nevertheless, Prasad said Test cricket is ‘real cricket’. “You need to have passion to play five-day cricket”. He said that these days players are looking to get selected into the national team through the IPL. He called this the ‘wrong way’ of getting into the team. “This is the case with Suresh Raina. He is finding it difficult to cope with the longer format, (but) he is a great one-day player.”

Dravid’s appointment a good move: Prasad

On being asked about how he feels about Rahul Dravid being appointed the coach of the under 19 and India A teams, Prasad said, “It is a great move. (It is a) great and well thought-out move.” He also said that Dravid is the kind of person who can give confidence to the players just by a chat.

However, he said added, “Giving Dravid the tag of a ‘coach’ is not that correct. Calling him a ‘director’ or a ‘mentor’ would be more appropriate for Rahul Dravid.”

Incidentally, Prasad and Dravid have been close since when they both played alongside each other.