Bharath Ramaraj
The name Venkatesh Prasad transports you back to a bygone era. Even further back than the iconic 1996 World Cup match played between India and Pakistan where a fiery Prasad castled Amair Sohail after he was at the receiving end of a sledge from the left-hand opener.
It was a Deodhar Trophy game played between North Zone and South Zone during the 1993-94 season. By all accounts, it was a spicy pitch where North Zone could muster a mere 68 in pursuit of a lowly 83-run target set by South Zone. And it was Prasad who ripped through the opponent with a zestful spell of 6 for 18. For the rest of his professional career, the pacer’s competitive spirit stood out. Simply put, Prasad never seemed to give up. More than two decades after he walked into retirement, those salient qualities of his mental make-up came to the fore in a fiery press conference held at the Capitol Hotel ahead of KSCA’s elections.
Prasad, who heads ‘Team Gamechangers’, said that he will contest for the post of KSCA’s president. Prasad’s team also has former KSCA treasurer Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who will be in contention for the post of secretary. Sujith Somasunder, the former India opener, will compete for the post of the vice-president. BN Madhukar was announced as the candidate for the treasurer’s post and AV Shashidhar will be running for the joint secretary’s position.
Prasad’s team will compete against ‘Team Brijesh’, with Brijesh Patel helming affairs. KN Shanth Kumar, director of The Printers Mysore Ltd, publisher of Deccan Herald, will contest for the president’s position.
“What about our Chinnaswamy stadium?” asked Prasad. “I have been hearing that they are keeping buckets to collect water in the stands. That is the state. Sujith (Somasunder) also mentioned about what is the point in playing less matches. I also say what is the point in building a bank account? We don’t need to have such a bank account. We need that money for building cricket. BCCI is giving that to develop cricket in your states. To develop your talent, to develop your infrastructure and so forth.
“By saving so much money, you have neglected the sport which has given Chinnaswamy the status. Your international matches have been taken away from the stadium due to the unfortunate stampede. What was the reason for the authorities to write a letter to have the celebrations? It is franchise cricket, not state cricket. You need to take proper approval from the authorities. Despite the stampede, four of them, who were in the previous committee, are contesting now.
“One of them is contesting as an office-bearer. I don’t want to take the name. And the person who is contesting for that office-bearer position had resigned on moral grounds just three months back (in the aftermath of the stampede). In three months, the morality is gone. Who is putting this team together? It is only Brijesh Patel. And it is called ‘Team Brijesh Patel.’ Look, he is a very good cricketer, played at the highest level. He has been a good administrator, I admire that. But what is the point in controlling from behind? It is backseat-driving syndrome.”
In a no-holds-barred press conference, Prasad continued to throw punches. “He has been controlling the KSCA for the last 28 years,” he continued. “He took on C Nagaraj, who was an amazing administrator. And what did he say? ‘Do they know how to hold a bat? How to oil a bat?’ He said the same to another great person in 2008. And from 1998 to now, only three years he didn’t control. Anil Kumble was the president. I was the vice-president, and Srinath was the secretary. That is when cricket flourished.”
Somasunder, who has served as head of education at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, said that his decision to link up with Prasad’s team was based on the state’s administration not prioritising the development of the game. “I was completely immersed in the activities for the Centre of Excellence,” he said. “But as cricketers, we always have one eye on what’s happening – who’s playing well, which youngster is coming through, how the system is functioning. It became very evident that cricket was not being run by people who understood the game.
“We need to give more opportunities to youngsters. The thought process is why should we hold so many matches at the lower level? In Aloor, corporate matches were held. Not lower division. Not a single group 2 division match was held in the last two years. When we have the opportunity to give back, I can’t keep complaining forever. I have to put my hand up and sacrifice whatever I’m enjoying for a bigger cause.”
Kumble and Srinath, the two legends of Karnataka cricket, also backed Prasad in his endeavour. “We felt that Karnataka cricket is suffering and one of the reasons why we are here is to make a difference,” said Kumble. “Seems like whatever happened in those three years (2010-2013) has been undone. What is critical is the importance that needs to be given to the aspirant boy or girl who dreams of playing. The other stakeholder that has been neglected is the fan. Cricket is so popular because of the fans, and for us, the Chinnaswamy Stadium is like a temple.
“June 4th was a black mark for all of us. We certainly feel very hurt, saddened and we are all with the families of the lives that were lost. That cannot be undone. But I think what can certainly be done is to again regain the glory of Karnataka cricket. Karnataka is, in terms of Ranji Trophies, they are only second to Mumbai. And that glory has been lost over the years. And even in terms of representation, that also has been lost.
“The recent historical victory by the women’s cricket team, we are all extremely proud of the girls. The way they went and won the tournament. At the halfway stage, it seemed like they may not qualify. And with an important member missing out on the semi-final and the final and then the replacement coming in and winning the player of the final, this is something truly amazing. But what was very evident was we didn’t have a representative there. I think that’s something that needs to change as well.”
On the other hand, Srinath shared his views on the lack of grassroots cricket and rebuilding the trust of the association. “When one group hands over responsibility to another, you need to add more infrastructure, more teams, and give opportunities to more kids,” he said. “If you see this kind of dwindling infrastructure, what kind of signals are you sending? The reputation of KSCA needs to be restored.”
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