'He is here to make a difference' - Anil Kumble comes in support of Venkatesh Prasad for KSCA post

Former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad has officially announced his candidature for the president’s post in the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) elections, scheduled for November 30. His bid has received strong backing from Indian cricket stalwarts Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath, both of whom have worked closely with him during their previous tenure in KSCA administration from 2010 to 2013.

Prasad has decided to contest, following Karnataka cricket's being in trouble, with the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium losing its shine following administrative lapses and the tragic June 4 stampede that claimed 11 lives during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory parade. The incident led to the stadium being barred from hosting international matches, creating a rift between the KSCA and the state government over safety and compliance issues.

To get Karnataka cricket back on course, Prasad has formed a panel named “Team Game Chargers”, which includes Sujith Somasundar (Vice President), Vinay Mruthyunjaya (Secretary), A.V. Shashidhar (Joint Secretary), and B.N. Madhukar (Treasurer). The team looks to track back the cricketing system in the state and restore the legacy of the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

“We need to get cricket back to Chinnaswamy Stadium. An administration free of back-seat driving.” Prasad said at the press conference. 

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Prasad also mentioned the need for a women’s cricket academy and enhanced roadmaps for young cricketers, noting the absence of Karnataka representation in India’s recent Women’s World Cup-winning squad. Kumble, who was present at the event, praised Prasad’s leadership.

"Karnataka cricket has been suffering and Venky is here to make a difference. All the work we had put in during our three-year tenure [2010-2013] has been undone over the past many years. The most common question we get asked is 'when are you returning?' Two key stakeholders have been neglected: cricketers and fans. Last week we won the Women's World Cup, and it was a landmark occasion. But we [Karnataka] didn't have a single representation. That needs to change," Kumble told.

He also opened up at the stampede incident, a black mark on Karnataka cricket, and called for a renewed effort to restore Chinnaswamy’s reputation as a temple of cricket. Both Kumble and Srinath believe that Prasad’s cricket-first approach makes him the ideal candidate for the role.

Prasad’s main rival for the top post will be K.N. Shanth Kumar, who enjoys the backing of former KSCA administrator Brijesh Patel. The elections are expected to be closely contested, with nominations open until November 16.