Venkatesh Prasad quits as selection committee chairman of the India U-19 team

While the India U-19 team enjoyed tremendous success following their World Cup win, the hard work and effort put in by the support staff cannot go unnoticed. Over the past 30 months, Venkatesh Prasad, as chairman of the BCCI’s junior selection committee, has toiled day and night to put forth a formidable team. He had to sit through hundreds of matches, most of them in small towns and dingy centers, all the while assessing skills and other attributes of the country’s emerging players.

The former India fast bowler played an imperative role key part in putting together India’s U-19 squad which saw them return home with the World Cup. However, following his successful stint, the 48-year-old has called time on the role. Venkatesh Prasad revealed that he was inclined to return to coaching and stated that the BCCI’s conflict of interest clause was the prime reason for his resignation. The clause mandates that any veteran cricketers appointed as coaches of Indian teams or national selectors shall not be associated with any private coaching academies during their tenure.

Thus, the veteran wrote to top BCCI officials and the Committee of Administrators (CoA), tendering his wish to resign from the post with immediate effect.

Speaking to TOI about Prasad’s resignation, CK Khanna, acting president of the BCCI said, “I spoke to Prasad and asked him to reconsider his decision. But he is firm and wants to move on. A thorough gentleman, Prasad’s contribution as a selector is immense and we at BCCI are proud of his achievements. We wish him all the best.”

Prasad likely to go with a coaching role

Prasad has a rich repertoire of experience in coaching at various levels. He has mentored the 2006 U-19 World Cup team to the final and worked as the bowling coach of the national senior team the following year. He was also part of coaching setup of IPL franchises like Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings, and even his home state Karnataka.

Over the past few days, there have been rumors of Venkatesh Prasad joining an IPL team as bowling coach. It would mark his foray into coaching after a hiatus of four-years, with his last assignment being with the Uttar Pradesh senior cricket team in 2014.