Making Rapid Strides- profile of Prasasd, Jan 1997 (1 Dec 1997)

Dec 1 1997 (orginally published Jan 1997)

MAKING RAPID STRIDES --------------------------------

by G.VISWANANTH

VENKATESH PRASAD can be dangerous when the conditions suit him.One always felt he loved bowling on a wicket which had grass on it. He also relished while operating under a heavy atmosphere.This does not mean that he is not a useful customer on unhelpful wickets.It is only that when there is something for the faster bowlers in the pitch,he is just that bit more effective.

He is an extremely skilful bowler. He can swing, seam and cut it off the pitch at an adequate pace.

In the Edgbaston Test against England, Prasad gave us a glimpse of his ability with four for 71 and two for 50. At Lord's,playing only his second Test, Prasad came up with five for 76. Fifteen wickets from three Tests was an excellent start to his career.The conditions were just about right to make an impact.

Six months after his debut,Prasad's development as a new ball bowler is even more visible. At Kingsmead, the moisture on the wicket and the strong wind were his allies on the first day.He was the one who provided the initial breakthrough by bowling left-hander Gary Kirsten. Again in the second innings, he beat the defensive bat of the same batsman.Perhaps one day he would tell someone, " I took 10 wickets for 153 for India and we still lost the Test."

Prasad may have ended up with more economical figures but for the fact that he had to share a heavy workload with Javagal Srinath. Because of overwork, now and then they tended to drop one short, which the batsmen punished. With support bowlers so weak and with the captain turning to Prasad and Srinath for more spells it was not easy.

What was the motivation for the likes of Srinath and Prasad after India was shot out for 100 in the first innings? Nothing but the pitch and an individual drive to excel. In only his eighth Test, Prasad has displayed his class as a quality bowler. He is also very professional in his approach. "Professionalism means that the bowler knows exactly what to do with the ball under the given conditions."

Evidently Prasad is one who has developed fast in the hectic three year schedule he has gone through.." He has improved match-by-match. He may seem slower than Srinath, but the fact is that he still has sufficient pace to make him an effective bowler. "I knew he would be more difficult to play in seaming conditions. He has a very high arm action and has the variations. He used the Kingsmead pitch very well. I think his slower delivery is difficult to pick. He puts that to good use in Tests and in one day internationals," said Nayan Mongia.

Prasad says he is still a learner." The leg cutter....I am still in the process of learning it. It's not easy.One has to practise very hard to bowl that delivery effectively. My performance has been satisfactory," said Prasad after his five-wicket haul in the first innings.

Prasad's figures in eight Tests read like this 4-71 & 2-50 [Edgbaston] 5-76 & 2-54 [Lords] 2-124 [Tent Bridge] 1-34 & 3-18 [New Delhi] {Australia} 0-24 & 0-18 [Ahmedabadh] {South Africa} 6-104 & 0-63 [Calcutta] " " 0-25 & 2-25 [Kanpur] " " 5-60 & 5-93 [Kingsmead] " "

A total of 37 wickets which gives him an average of nearly five wickets per Test. it was unfortunate that his first 10 wicket bag could not help his side win. One day his effort will win the match for India.

Source :: Sportstar