Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Prasad. (Photo Source: Steven Paston/PA Images via Getty Images and Twitter)
Former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad has lashed out at the Indian team following their loss in the second ODI against West Indies on Saturday, July 29 at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. Notably, a young Indian side without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma got beaten by the hosts by six wickets. Batting first, India were bundled out for just 181 despite getting a good opening partnership of 90 runs.
In reply, West Indies chased down the target in 36.4 overs courtesy of brilliant knocks from captain Shai Hope (63*) and Keacy Carty (48*). Expressing his disappointment on India’s performance, Prasad said that the team has been very ordinary in the ODIs and T20Is for some time. He further pointed out their ODI series losses against South Africa, Australia and Bangladesh since 2022 to further support his argument.
Prasad took to Twitter and wrote, “Test cricket aside, India has been very ordinary in the other two formats for quite sometime now. Lost odi series against ban, SA and Aus. Poor in the last two T20 World Cups. Neither are we an exciting team like England nor brutal like how the Aussies used to be.”
Prasad further stated that despite the money and power the fans in the country have got used to celebrating mediocrity and are from how champion sides are.
“Despite the money and power, we have become used to celebrating mediocrity and are far from how champion sides are. Every team plays to win and so does India but their approach and attitude is also a factor for underperformance over a period of time,” he added.
Despite the money and power, we have become used to celebrating mediocrity and are far from how champion sides are. Every team plays to win and so does India but their approach and attitude is also a factor for underperformance over a period of time.
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) July 30, 2023
Notably, India have not won an ICC trophy since their Champions Trophy triumph in 2013 under the leadership of MS Dhoni. The Asian giants have managed to reach the knockout stages of all the tournaments since then, barring the T20 World Cup 2021, but have failed to lift the trophy.
Hence, the Men in Blue are under tremendous pressure to win the upcoming ODI World Cup scheduled to take place in India from October 05.