Venkatesh Prasad quits junior selection committee chairman post for coaching role

Since taking over the role of the chairman of selectors back in late 2015, Prasad has been a regular in most junior matches to access the skills, attitude, agility and fitness of the country's future players. The 48-year-old also played an important role in forming a core for the ICC Under-19 World Cup and the effort culminated in India winning the Junior World Cup in New Zealand last month. However, the decision to go back to his main passion, coaching, Prasad - a tearaway quick during his heyday – has decided to step down from the role.

CK Khanna, the acting president of the BCCI, confirmed Prasad’s resignation while talking to ToI, and 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."

However, it is understood that BCCI's strict conflict of interest clause was the major reason for his resignation. 

According to the clause, "Cricketers appointed as coaches of Indian teams or national selectors shall not be associated with any private coaching academies during their tenure."

Speaking about the same, however, Prasad didn’t divulge details but added that he understood the clause and that’s why resigned. 

"I understand the conflict of interest clause and so I have resigned," he said. "I am weighing my options in coaching and will reveal my next assignment in due course."

Over the last few days, it has been discussed that the former India pacer is weighing on his chances to join an IPL franchise as bowling coach and if that happens it would mark the second coming of the bowler’s foray into coaching after a four-year break since his last assignment with Uttar Pradesh senior cricket team in 2014. 

Prasad, however, boasts of a lot of coaching experience at a major level and was at the helm of the affairs when India U-19 team reached the finals in 2018. The former Karnataka bowler was also the bowling coach of the Indian senior team, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings and his home state, Karnataka.

However, after successfully handling India’s chief selector role, Prasad has stated that he is leaving the position with the satisfaction of working with sincerity and has also identified a lot of young talents. 

"It was a huge challenge but an exciting one. I love travelling and have logged thousands of miles across the country. It wasn't easy watching so many matches where the key was to be alert and observant. We had to assess players on a lot of factors and I couldn't afford to be lax."

"I always discussed and debated with my colleagues on the need to give youngsters as many opportunities as possible. It is important to keep their hopes alive because many of them could be late bloomers and may represent the country in the next 2-3 years. I'm glad we tried out a lot of players in various tournaments over the past couple of years."

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