Bapu Krishnarao Venkatesh Prasad, commonly known as Venkatesh Prasad, is a former Indian cricketer and current cricket coach. Born on August 5, 1969, in Bangalore, India, Prasad is widely regarded as one of the most skilled seam bowlers to have represented the country.
Prasad had a remarkable career that spanned from 1996 to 2001, during which he made significant contributions as a key member of the Indian cricket team. Standing tall and sporting a proportionally built physique, Prasad possessed the ability to swing the ball both ways, making him a formidable bowling force. His deceptive slower ball further added to his repertoire of skills, making him a challenging opponent for batsmen around the world.
While Prasad exhibited brilliance in foreign conditions, it was on the slow, bald tracks at home where his style of attack was not as effective. However, he demonstrated great resilience, adapting to various pitch conditions and delivering exceptional performances. One such instance came during the first Test against Pakistan in January 1999 at Chennai. Prasad’s devastating spell in Pakistan’s second innings, capturing figures of 6 for 33, including an astonishing spell of 5 for 0, brought the opposition to their knees.
Prasad’s dedication to the team and his calm and composed demeanor made him an invaluable asset on and off the field. Recognizing his expertise, Prasad took on coaching roles after retiring from professional cricket. He initially trained the Under-19 side and eventually assumed the role of coach for his state side, Karnataka. In May 2007, he was appointed as India’s bowling coach for their tour of Bangladesh, where he received accolades for his work with promising new-ball pair, Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma.
During his coaching tenure, Prasad played a crucial part in India’s Test series victories in England and New Zealand, achievements that had eluded him during his playing career. Despite these successes, the disappointing performances of the bowlers in major ICC events in 2009 resulted in a change of coaching staff, leading to Prasad’s departure from the national team. He later took on the role of bowling coach for the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, continuing to contribute to the development of young bowling talents.
Venkatesh Prasad’s illustrious career is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the sport. His ability to swing the ball, adapt to different playing conditions, and his temperament on and off the field has left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. Prasad’s dedication to coaching further exemplifies his desire to share his knowledge and expertise with the younger generation, ensuring that his legacy lives on through the next wave of Indian cricketing talent.
