Venkatesh Prasad
About
Venkatesh Prasad, is a renowned former Indian cricketer, and one of the fastest bowlers India had. He was known for his bowling combination with Javagal Srinath. Venkatesh’s most celebrated moments came during the 1996 Cricket World Cup against Pakistan. After being hit for a boundary and sledged by Aamir Sohail, Venkatesh clean bowled Sohail on the very next ball, turning the tide in India's favor and securing a significant victory. Venkatesh was known for his slow leg cutters, a technique he was among the first to popularize in world cricket.
He made his debut in 1994 as a right-arm medium-fast bowler. Throughout his career, Venkatesh achieved notable success on the international stage. He played a crucial role in the Indian cricket team, particularly during the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy where the team finished as runners-up.
Venkatesh's international cricket statistics are commendable, with 96 wickets from 33 Test matches at an average of 35, and 196 wickets from 161 ODIs at an average of 32.30. He was particularly effective on pitches that supported seam bowling, although his career-best Test figures of 6 for 33 against Pakistan in 1999 came on a relatively docile pitch in Chennai.
Venkatesh's memorable performances include a ten-wicket haul in a Test match in Durban, South Africa in December 1996, and five-wicket hauls in various challenging conditions, such as in England (1996), the West Indies (1997), and Sri Lanka (2001).
Following his playing career, Venkatesh transitioned into coaching, taking on the role of bowling coach for the Indian cricket team from 2007 to 2009. He also served as the coach for the India Under-19 Cricket team, leading them to a runner-up finish in the 2006 U-19 Cricket World Cup.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Venkatesh has been involved with various teams, including a stint as the coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore during their inaugural season in 2008 and as the bowling coach for Kings XI Punjab in 2018.
Beyond cricket, Venkatesh has pursued a successful career in banking and served as the Deputy General Manager for Canara Bank.
Awards and accomplishments
Awards and accomplishments
Venkatesh’s contributions to cricket have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Arjuna Award in 2000.
His impressive performance in the 1996/97 season, where he took 55 wickets in 15 Tests and 48 wickets in 30 ODIs, earned him the CEAT International Cricketer of the Year award.
Why Venkatesh Prasad?
As a former international cricketer and coach, Venkatesh’s journey offers valuable lessons on teamwork, and leadership. He can provide inspiring anecdotes on handling pressure and turning adversities into opportunities. Additionally, his diverse roles as a coach, and commentator highlight his adaptability and strategic thinking, making his talks relevant for a wide range of audiences.
