The Twitter war between former India cricketers Venkatesh Prasad and Aakash Chopra over KL Rahul’s place in the Indian team has taken an ugly turn.
Debate over KL’s place in the Indian team
Two former Indian cricketers took to Twitter and expressed their views on out-of-form batter KL Rahul who is having a hard time for the last couple of seasons.
KL Rahul played four Tests last year, scoring 137 runs at an average of 17.12, with just one fifty. In 10 ODIs last year, he scored 251 runs at an average of 27.88, with two half-centuries and a best score of 73.
In 16 T20Is in 2022, the batter scored 434 runs at an average of 28.93 and six half-centuries, with a best score of 62. Overall in 30 matches last year, he aggregated 822 runs at an average of 25.68, with nine half-centuries.
Former fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad fired at struggling KL Rahul for his unreliable performances in the longest format of the game, pointing out the batter’s mediocre overseas record and comparing it with home/overseas statistics of players such as Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane, three of whom have turned out for India as openers in Test cricket.
“Rahul’s selection is not based on performance but favoritism. Has been Consistently inconsistent and for someone who has been around for 8 years not converted potential into performances. One of the reasons why many ex-cricketers aren’t vocal despite seeing such favoritism..” he had Tweeted.
Meanwhile, former cricketer Akash Chopra responded on Twitter, “Venky Bhai, Test match chal raha hai. How about, at least, waiting for both the innings to get over. All of us are in the same team i.e. Team India. Not asking you to hold back your thoughts but timing could be a little better. After all, our game is all about the ‘timing’”
The Twitter war
Akash Chopra also made a YouTube video in which he questioned Prasad’s motive over his tweets on Rahul in his 12-minute-long YouTube video. After the video went viral, the ex-India fast bowler launched a vicious attack on Twitter on the former. The former batter retaliated by challenging Prasad to a duel on his YouTube channel before the latter shut down the proposal with another vicious attack.
“So my friend Aakash Chopra after making a vile video on YouTube this morning where he calls me an agenda peddle, conveniently and cleverly misquotes me, removes Mayank’s average of 70 at home, wants to gag views which are not in line with what he believes but wanted Rohit out”, Prasad attacks Chopra.
So my friend Aakash Chopra after making a vile video on YouTube this morning where he calls me an agenda peddle, conveniently and cleverly misquotes me, removes Mayank’s average of 70 at home, wants to gag views which are not in line with what he believes but wanted Rohit out pic.twitter.com/2HwFLMgvmd
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) February 21, 2023
In response, Aakash invited the pacer on a video chat to settle the debate once and for all.
“Venky bhai, msgs are getting lost in translation. You here. Me on YT. I invite you to come on a Video Chat…we can do it Live. Difference on opinions is nice…lets do it properly I’ll not have any sponsors on it & nobody will make money out of it. Up for it? You have my number,” Chopra reacted.
I have no agenda against any player, maybe there are others who have. Difference of opinion is fine but calling contrary views as apna personal agenda and Twitter par mat laayein is funny for @cricketaakash , considering he has made a great career by airing his views.
I have …— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) February 21, 2023
This did not end there, moments later, Prasad replied by shutting down the proposal while lashing out at Aakash again for his “agenda peddler” accusation in his video.
No Aakash, nothing is lost in translation. In your 12 minute video you have called me as an agenda peddler because it didn’t suit your narrative.
It is crystal clear. And I have made my points very clear in this Twitter thread. Don’t wish to engage with you further on this ?? https://t.co/GhlfWI0kHA
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) February 21, 2023
“No Aakash, nothing is lost in translation. In your 12-minute video, you have called me an agenda peddler because it didn’t suit your narrative. And I have made my points very clear in this Twitter thread. Don’t wish to engage with you further on this,” he said.
