In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli marked his 49th One Day International (ODI) century on his birthday, November 5, 2023, during a crucial match against South Africa in the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup 2023 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Virat Kohli’s milestone century

Kohli’s unbeaten 101 runs, coupled with Shreyas Iyer‘s impressive 77, helped India achieve a substantial total of 326/5. This formidable score put the Proteas under significant pressure. The Indian bowlers delivered a top-notch performance, managing to dismiss the South African team for a mere 83 runs, resulting in a convincing victory for India by 243 runs. Ravindra Jadeja ?emerged as the standout bowler, claiming a ?remarkable five-wicket haul.

Kohli’s century was achieved after a meticulous innings, reaching his half-century off 67 balls and taking 119 deliveries to secure a triple-figure score. His landmark achievement was celebrated by fans and cricket enthusiasts worldwide. However, this remarkable feat also stirred controversy and criticism.

Controversy surrounding Virat Kohli’s ton

While many celebrated Kohli’s 49th ODI century, others took issue with the circumstances of his innings. Critics and fans accused Kohli of playing for personal milestones, labeling him as “selfish” for focusing on his individual achievements during the game.

Also READ: ODI World Cup 2023 – Kartik Aaryan and Samantha Prabhu share heartfelt post to celebrate Virat Kohli’s 49th ODI century and birthday

Venkatesh Prasad’s unconventional take

Amid the criticisms and debates surrounding Kohli’s century, former Indian pace bowler Venkatesh Prasad offered a unique perspective on the situation. Prasad argued that Kohli’s so-called ‘selfishnessâ€?is actually a manifestation of his commitment to the dreams and expectations of a billion cricket fans in India, as he consistently strives for excellence, sets new benchmarks, and ultimately seeks to ensure his team’s success,

“Hearing funny arguments about Virat Kohli being Selfish and obsessed with personal milestones. Yes Kohli is selfish, selfish enough to follow the dream of a billion people, selfish enough to strive for excellence even after achieving so much, selfish enough to set new benchmarks, and selfish enough to ensure his team wins. Yes, Kohli is selfish,” tweeted Prasad.

Hearing funny arguments about Virat Kohli being Selfish and obsessed with personal milestone.
Yes Kohli is selfish, selfish enough to follow the dream of a billion people, selfish enough to strive for excellence even after achieving so much, selfish enough to set new benchmarks,�pic.twitter.com/l5RZRf7dNx

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) November 6, 2023

Also READ: From Narendra Modi to Rahul Gandhi – Politicians react to India’s eighth win and Virat Kohli’s record ton in ODI World Cup 2023

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Former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad has commended KL Rahul for his outstanding performance in India’s opening game of the ODI World Cup 2023 against Australia. He? also clarified his previous criticism of Rahul.

KL Rahul’s stellar comeback and match winning knock

Rahul, who made a strong comeback during the Asia Cup 2023 after recovering from thigh surgery, received praise from Prasad. The 31-year-old scored 169 runs in three innings with an impressive average of 84.50, including an unbeaten century against Pakistan. In the CWC 2023 game against Australia on October 8, Rahul played a pivotal role, contributing an unbeaten 97 runs at Chepauk. The Karnataka stalwart won?? the Player of the Match award for his high quality knock under pressure.

Also READ: World Cup 2023: 4 significant milestones achieved by Virat Kohli during India’s win over ??Australia

Clarification by Venkatesh Prasad

Prasad clarified that his earlier criticism was specifically related to Rahul’s performance in Test cricket and not his performance in ODIs. He had previously criticized the Indian team management for persistently including Rahul despite his Test cricket struggles.

“Well, look whatever little criticism I had about KL Rahul, it was about Test matches, not in ODIs. I’ve cleared that aspect with you,â€?#8221; Prasad said to CNN News18.

The 54-year-old acknowledged the challenges India faced in the fixture, especially after losing early wickets. He applauded Rahul and Virat Kohli for their patient partnership, which played a vital role in India’s victory.

“Having said that, that partnership was important. In the mid-show, I spoke about it’s not going to be easy to bat., it’s going to be a challenging total to chase and I had said the Indian batters need to show a lot of patience and build partnerships, and that is exactly what KL Rahul and Virat Kohli did,” the Bengaluru-born cricketer concluded.

India’s next World Cup match is scheduled against Afghanistan at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on October 11.

Also READ: CWC 2023: India opener ??Shubman Gill ruled out of the match agains??t Afghanistan

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The ODI World Cup 2023 is just around th??e corner, and cricket enthusiasts around the globe are eagerly anticipating the excitement that this prestigious tournament promises. However, a dark cloud of frustration looms over the fans who have been struggling to secure tickets for the much-awaited event.

In a scathing attack on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad voiced his concerns and empathized with the disgruntled fans who are left empty-h?anded despite putting in hours to acquire match tickets.

The ticketing dilemma

The ticket sales for the 2023 ODI World Cup commenced on August 25, and the BCCI had outlined a structured approach for th??e release? of tickets. Despite the well-laid framework, many cricket enthusiasts faced immense challenges in acquiring their tickets and hour?s of waiting in anticipation ended in disappointment, leaving them disheartened and frustrated.

Venkatesh Prasad’s blunt message to BCCI and a call for transparency

In the wake of this ticketing fiasco, Venkatesh Prasad stepped forward as a voice for the fans who have been let down by the system. He expressed his genuine concern for the struggles that fans are enduring and called for a change in the procedure adopted b??y the BCCI. The veteran seamer stressed the need for transparency, urging the BCCI not to take the fans for granted and to make the ticketing process more transparent and accessible.

Also WATCH: Rishabh Pant indulges i?n a rigorous workout session at NCA; shares a major fitness update

Another key criticism raised by Prasad was the apparent prioritization of corporate interests and members over passionate cricket fans. He questioned the BCCI’s decision to reserve a significant number of seats for corporate giants, which left limited availability for ordinary fans who yearn to be part of the World Cup experience.

“It’s never been very easy to get World Cup tickets. But this time has been harder than before. Could have been better planned and I feel for the fans who have had high hopes and struggled to get tickets. I sincerely hope one of the most important stakeholders, the Fans get their worth and I hope @BCCI makes it easier for the fans,” wrote Prasad on his X (previously T??witter) account.

“I urge the @BCCI to have more transparency in the World Cup ticketing system and not take fans for granted. Definitely in a stadium like Ahmedabad, for an #IndvsPak clash more than the sold 8500 tickets need to be available when the capacity is 1 lakh + . Likewise for all other matches, a larger chunk needs to be for the fans. It will be more fulfilling if the diehard fan is kept happy and not deprived of this opportunity instead of reserving a large chunk for corporates and members,” he added.

It’s never been very easy to get World Cup tickets. But this time has been harder than before. Could have been better planned and I feel for the fans who have had high hopes and struggled to get tickets. I sincerely hope one of the most important stakeholders, the Fans get their�/p>

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) September 4, 2023

I urge the @BCCI to have more transparency in the World Cup ticketing system and not take fans for granted. Definitely in a stadium like Ahmedabad, for an #IndvsPak clash more than the sold 8500 tickets need to be available when the capacity is 1 lakh + . Likewise for all other�/p>

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) September 4, 2023

Also READ: Australia all-ro??under G??lenn Maxwell shares a big injury update and spills beans on his ODI World Cup 2023 plans

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In a captivating T20I series between West Indies and India, the final match concluded with the West Indies emerging triumphant and sealing the series victory at Florida’s Central Broward Stadium on Sunday. The five-match series had been evenly poised, with India making a comeback after losing the initial two matches, only to be outdone by a determined West Indies side in the ultimate clash.

Opting to bat first, India struggled to set a challenging target, managing to score 165/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Suryakumar Yadav stood out as the lone performer for the Indian side, showcasing an impressive display of batting prowess with a quickfire 61 off 45 balls, including four boundaries and three gigantic sixes. However, Romario Shepherd‘s exceptional bowling proved to be a thorn in India’s side, as he picked up four crucial wickets for just 31 runs in his spell of four overs. Jason Holder and Akeal Hosein contributed to the West Indies’ bowling effort with two wickets each.

In response, West Indies’ Brandon King stole the show with a swashbuckling knock of 85 not out off 55 deliveries, guiding his team to a comprehensive victory in just 18 overs. Nicholas Pooran played a crucial supporting role, adding 47 runs from 35 balls, cementing West Indies’ dominance and securing their series win.

Also READ: Twitt?er erupts as West Indies thrash India in 5th T20I to record historic series ??win

Venkatesh Prasad lambasts Team India

However, the aftermath of India’s series loss saw former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad taking to social media to express his disappointment with the team’s performance and management. Prasad did not hold back in his criticism, labeling the current Indian limited-overs side as ‘very ordinary’ and calling out their lack of introspection and accountability for their shortcomings. He highlighted the absence of the ‘fire’ and ‘hunger’ for victory in the team’s approach.

“India has been a very very ordinary limited overs side for some time now. They have been humbled by a West Indies side that failed to qualify for the T20 WC few months back. We had also lost to Ban in the ODI series. Hope they introspect instead of making silly statements,” Prasad tweeted.

India has been a very very ordinary limited overs side for sometime now. They have been humbled by a West Indies side that failed to qualify for the T20 WC few months back. We had also lost to Ban in the ODI series. Hope they introspect instead of making silly statements #IndvWI

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) August 13, 2023

Prasad’s tweets shed light on India’s recent struggles against opponents considered less formidable, such as Bangladesh, and emphasized the need for a more candid assessment of the team’s performance. He argued that rather than hiding behind processes and excuses, the team should confront their issues head-on and work towards reclaiming their competitive edge.

Also READ: Hardik Pandya shares his perspective following T20I series loss to West Indies

“Not just 50 overs, West Indies had failed to qualify for the T20 World cup last Oct- Nov as well. It pains to see India perform poorly and brush it under the carpet, under the garb of process. That hunger, fire is missing and we live in an illusion,” added Prasad.

Not just 50 overs, West Indies had failed to qualify for the T20 World cup last Oct- Nov as well.
It pains to see India perform poorly and brush it under the carpet, under the garb of process. That hunger, fire is missing and we live in an illusion. //t.co/8GDNDfW9dg

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) August 13, 2023

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Former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad has strongly criticized the Indian cricket team’s performance in the second T20I against West Indies in Guyana on Sunday. He characterized their display as “very very ordinary,” particularly pointing out the decisions made by Hardik Pandya and the team as a whole.

While Indi?a managed to secure ?a 1-0 victory in the Test series and a 2-1 win in the subsequent ODI series against West Indies, their performance in the ongoing five-game T20I series has been lacklustre. Led by Pan??dya, the team has faced challenges, losing the first two T20Is of the series due to subpar efforts in both batting and bowling.

Also Read: Twitter lashes out at Hardik Pandya as India suffers a narrow defeat in the 2nd T20I against West Indies

In the second T20I, India chose to bat first after winning the toss and posted a total of 152/7. Tilak Varma‘s maiden T20I fifty and contributions from Ishan Kishan and Pandya were the highlights of their batting.

In reply,despite  a strong counterattack by West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran, India managed to keep the match within their reach. Yuzvendra Chahal‘s effective bowling performance (2/19) helped India remain competitive. With West Indies needing 24 runs with just two wickets in hand, victory seemed possible for the Men in Blue.

However, Pandya’s decision to reintroduce fast bowlers at a crucial stage proved detrimental. Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Joseph capitalized on this and scored the remaining runs comfortably, leading West Ind?ies to victory by 2 wickets with 7 balls to spare?.

Prasad unveils insights on India’s misstep with Chahal

Prasad took to social media to emphasize a key point, highlighting that Chahal did not comp??lete his full q??uota of overs.

“Very very ordinary. No point in brushing it aside. After the 2007 T20 World Cup,  IPL started and we haven’t won a T20 World Cup in 7 attempts since, making only 1 finals. The intensity and hunger to win needs to be far more,” the former Indian cricketer wrote on his Twitter? handle.

“And Yuzi got India back into the game in what was his third over and West Indies 8th down and he didn’t bowl again and No 9 and 10 for WI found the pacers easy to handle. Should be smarter at these moments then just doing textbook stuff,” Prasad concluded.

And Yuzi got India back into the game in what was his third over and West Indies 8th down and he didn’t bowl again and No 9 and 10 fo??r WI found the pacers easy to handle. Should be smarter at these moments then just doing textbook stuff.

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) August 7, 2023

Notably, Pandya blamed the lack of runs for the defeat but didn’t acknowledge the non-use of bowling potential. Not only Chahal didn’t complete his quota of 4 overs, but also Axar Patel didn’t get to bowl a single delivery.

This series marks the first time India have lost back-to-back T20Is to West Indies. With the third T20I scheduled to be played in Guyana on August 8, the Indian team will be aiming to address the ??issues raised by Prasad and deliver a stronger performance to?? avoid a series whitewash.

Also READ: Robin Uthappa, Abhinav Mukund raise eyebrows over Hardik Pandya’s captaincy after India’s loss in 2nd T20I against West Indies

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Venkatesh Prasad, a former Indian pacer etched his name in cricketing history with his impeccable bowling skills and dedication to the game. Known for his disciplined line and length, Prasad was a crucial asset to the Indian cricket team during the 1990s. Today, let’s delve into the top five bowling performances of Prasad that highlighted his brilliance and made him a revered figure in the world of cricket.

5/27 against Pakistan in the 1996 World Cup Quarter-Final:

One of Prasad’s most memorable performances came during the 1996 World Cup quarter-final against arch-rivals Pakistan. In a high-pressure game, he exhibited exceptional control and accuracy, taking five wickets for just 27 runs. His crucial dismissals disrupted Pakistan’s batting lineup including Aamer Sohail and played a pivotal role in India’s victory.

Also WATCH: Venkatesh Prasad showcases MS Dhoni’s breathtaking Bike collection in Ranchi

6/33 against South Africa in Durban, 1996:

During India’s tour of South Africa in 1996, Prasad delivered a sensational spell in the second Test at Durban. With his ability to swing the ball both ways, he bamboozled the South African batsmen and registered impressive figures of 6/33 in the second innings. This performance remains one of the finest bowling displays by an Indian paceman on foreign soil.

5/65 against Australia in Kolkata, 1998:

In the thrilling second Test against Australia at Eden Gardens in 1998, Prasad showcased his tenacity and skill with the ball. He claimed five wickets in Australia’s first innings, including crucial scalps like Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor. Prasad’s fiery spell laid the foundation for India’s historic comeback after being forced to follow-on, resulting in a famous victory.

5/40 against Pakistan in Chennai, 1999:

Prasad’s exceptional swing bowling was on display once again in the Test match against Pakistan in Chennai in 1999. In the first innings, he tore through the Pakistani batting lineup with his swing and seam movement, bagging five wickets for just 40 runs. His efforts played a key role in India’s win and earned him well-deserved accolades.

4/45 against Sri Lanka in Sharjah, 1995:

During the Coca-Cola Champions Trophy final against Sri Lanka in Sharjah in 1995, Prasad delivered a standout performance. His disciplined line and length troubled the Sri Lankan batsmen, and he claimed four crucial wickets for just 45 runs. Prasad’s contribution helped India secure the title in a nail-biting encounter.

Also READ: 5 most underrated knocks of Sourav Ganguly in international cricket

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