Venkatesh Prasad : Haven't applied for head coach and don't intend to do so

“I haven’t sent in my application, and I don’t intend doing so,” Prasad told Wisden India.

“I have no idea where these reports have stemmed from. I was both surprised and amused to read in the papers today that I am in the fray for the head coach. Nothing could be farther from the truth.” he added.

However, the former Indian bowler expressed his wish of joining the national team as the bowling coach - a post he had held for nearly two and half years during mid-2007 to October 2009. During this period, India won their first Test in England after a span of 21 years followed by wins at the inaugural T20 World Cup, Perth Test in Australia in January 2008, and triangular series on the same tour in March of the same year.

Prasad oversaw the progress of S Sreesanth and RP Singh while helping Zaheer Khan to make a comeback to international cricket in 2007. Zaheer then led India's bowling attack for the next seven years where he helped India in Test series against New Zealand, South Africa and most importantly during the Men in Blue's victorious 2011 World Cup Campaign.

However, the former Indian paceman was sacked from the post along with fielding coach Robin Singh in 2009 following India's successive defeats in World T20 in England and in the Champions Trophy in South Africa. 

On Thursday, Prasad made his bowling coach aspirations known to the media.

“Many might feel I am qualified enough to be the head coach, but I would rather focus on my area of expertise,” he explained.“Having played at the highest level and

“Having played at the highest level and having been the bowling coach of the Indian team, I know what the task entails, and I feel I also know I have what it takes to make a difference. I believe India have a wonderful crop of fast bowlers currently, these are exciting teams for Indian cricket. With several overseas trips lined up, the possibilities are endless and I feel more than confident that I can help them realise their potential when we travel to places like South Africa and New Zealand.

“I hope the Cricket Advisory Committee consider me worthy enough to become the bowling coach again,” Prasad, who has coached domestically in first-class cricket before moving on to a selectorial role, continued.“I believe the bowling coach must bring various skills to the table, including fitness and the ability to communicate with and learn from the bowlers too. Coaching is never a one-way process, it is a process which involves give-and-take.”

“I believe the bowling coach must bring various skills to the table, including fitness and the ability to communicate with and learn from the bowlers too. Coaching is never a one-way process, it is a process which involves give-and-take.”

The former swing bowler, known for his death bowling skills, featured in 33 Tests and 161 ODIs for India between 1994 and 2001 during which he scalped 96 wickets in the longest format while 196 wickets in the white ball format. 

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