Venkatesh Prasad – India's Iconic Fast Bowler and Bowling Coach

Venkatesh Prasad is a legendary Indian cricketer, coach, and cricket commentator, best known for his exceptional fast bowling skills and match-winning performances for India during the 1990s and early 2000s. He formed a lethal new-ball partnership with Javagal Srinath, leading India’s pace attack for nearly a decade. Prasad played a crucial role in India’s success in World Cups, Test cricket, and One Day Internationals (ODIs), most notably in the 1996 Cricket World Cup and the 1999 Test series against Pakistan. His ability to swing the ball both ways, deceive batsmen with off-cutters, and take crucial wickets made him a nightmare for many top-order batsmen. Beyond his playing career, Venkatesh Prasad has made a significant impact as India’s bowling coach, an IPL mentor, and a respected commentator. He was instrumental in developing young Indian fast bowlers and has coached teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Venkatesh Prasad’s Career Overview and Quick Facts

Category	Details
Full Name	Venkatesh Prasad
Born	5 August 1969 (Age 55)
Birthplace	Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Batting Style	Right-handed
Bowling Style	Right-arm medium-fast
Role	Bowler
International Career	1994–2001
Major Teams	India, Karnataka, RCB, Kings XI Punjab
International Debut	Test (1996), ODI (1994)
Last International Match	ODI vs Kenya (2001)

Venkatesh Prasad’s International Career: A Dominant Fast Bowler

Test Cricket (1996–2001) – India's Swing Specialist

Venkatesh Prasad made his Test debut against England in June 1996 and quickly became a key member of India’s fast bowling attack. His ability to swing the ball in both directions, generate bounce, and outthink batsmen made him a match-winner in tough conditions. One of his most memorable Test performances came against Pakistan in 1999, where he took 6 wickets for just 33 runs, including a magical spell where he picked 5 wickets for 0 runs. His only 10-wicket haul in a Test match came against South Africa in Durban (1996), where he took 10 wickets for 153 runs, proving his dominance on foreign soil.

Test Career Stats

• Matches Played: 33
• Runs Scored: 203
• Batting Average: 7.51
• Best Score: 30*
• Wickets Taken: 96
• Best Bowling Figures: 6/33

Key Test Achievements

Bowled one of the best Test spells (6/33) vs. Pakistan in 1999. Took 10 wickets in a match against South Africa (1996), his best Test performance. One of the rare Indian pacers to take five-wicket hauls in England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and West Indies. Despite his strong performances, injuries and competition from emerging pacers led to his retirement from Test cricket in 2001.

ODI Career (1994–2001) – A World Cup Hero

Venkatesh Prasad was an impactful bowler in ODIs, known for his ability to break partnerships and deceive batsmen with his slower deliveries and off-cutters. He played a crucial role in India’s 1996 Cricket World Cup campaign, delivering one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket history.

Venkatesh Prasad vs. Aamir Sohail – 1996 World Cup Quarterfinal

During the 1996 Cricket World Cup quarterfinal vs. Pakistan, Aamir Sohail aggressively hit Prasad for a boundary and sledged him. In response, Prasad clean bowled Sohail on the very next ball, in what became one of the most legendary moments in World Cup history.

ODI Career Stats

• Matches Played: 161
• Runs Scored: 221
• Batting Average: 6.90
• Wickets Taken: 196
• Best Bowling Figures: 5/27

Key ODI Achievements

Second-fastest Indian bowler to reach 50 ODI wickets. Took a 5-wicket haul in ODIs against Pakistan in 1997 (5/27). Played a key role in India’s runner-up finish in the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy. Prasad was a key part of India’s bowling attack until 2001, before being replaced by younger pacers like Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra.

Venkatesh Prasad’s Role in Coaching and Commentary

Coaching Career – Shaping India’s Next-Gen Fast Bowlers

After retiring in 2005, Prasad turned to coaching, where he played a significant role in developing India’s fast bowlers.

Key Coaching Roles

India’s Bowling Coach (2007–2009) – Helped develop Ishant Sharma, RP Singh, and Sreesanth. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Bowling Coach (2008) – Played a major role in RCB’s IPL campaign. Kings XI Punjab Bowling Coach (2018) – Worked with young pacers in the IPL. India U-19 Coach (2006) – Helped the team reach the U-19 World Cup final. Despite his successful tenure, Prasad was surprisingly sacked as India’s bowling coach in 2009, a decision that many felt was unfair.

Venkatesh Prasad in IPL & Franchise Cricket

Venkatesh Prasad has also been an influential figure in IPL, mentoring several young pacers.

Key IPL Coaching Roles

• RCB (2008)
• Kings XI Punjab (2018)
• Mentor for several fast bowlers in IPL & domestic cricket

His expertise in swing bowling, seam positioning, and tactical bowling has helped many young Indian pacers evolve into international-level bowlers.

Major Records & Achievements

International Records

One of the few Indian pacers with five-wicket hauls in England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and West Indies. Took 5 wickets for 0 runs against Pakistan (1999 Test Series). Fastest Indian to take 50 wickets in ODIs at one point.

Awards & Recognition

CEAT International Cricketer of the Year (1997) – For taking 103 wickets in 1996-97 across Tests & ODIs. Arjuna Award (2000) – For his contributions to Indian cricket. One of India’s most respected fast bowling coaches.

Venkatesh Prasad’s Legacy & Impact on Indian Cricket

Venkatesh Prasad remains one of India’s greatest fast bowlers, known for his intelligent bowling, unplayable cutters, and ability to take wickets under pressure. His legendary battles with Pakistan, his match-winning spells, and his impact as a bowling coach have made him a true icon of Indian cricket. Even after retiring, he continues to contribute as a mentor, commentator, and cricket analyst. His aggression, tactical mindset, and ability to outthink batsmen will forever be remembered by cricket fans worldwide. For the latest updates on Venkatesh Prasad’s commentary, coaching, and cricket insights, stay tuned!