Venkatesh Prasad hits out at Aakash Chopra over ‘vile video’ as social media feud over KL Rahul intensifies

Venkatesh’s thread on Tuesday evening was the latest episode in the simmering tension between the two ex-players on social media. Calling out Chopra for making a “vile video” on YouTube, Venkatesh alleged Chopra “cleverly and conveniently” misquoted him.

Venkatesh’s thread included an archival tweet of Chopra’s from December 30, 2012, where he is seemingly taking a dig at Rohit Sharma. In a six-part thread, Venkatesh goes on to say he doesn’t have any vendetta against KL Rahul, and attacks Chopra for calling his criticism of KL a “personal agenda”.

So my friend Aakash Chopra after making a vile video on YouTube this morning where he calls me an agenda peddle, conveniently and cleverly misquotes me, removes Mayank’s average of 70 at home, wants to gag views which are not in line with what he believes but wanted Rohit out pic.twitter.com/2HwFLMgvmd

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) February 21, 2023

I admire Aakash for the hardwork he puts on his YouTube channel but calling a different view point as agenda because it doesn’t suit his narrative is poor. There is no bitterness between us and since his video was in public domain wanted to put my point out here. Best wishes

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) February 21, 2023

“So my friend Aakash Chopra after making a vile video on YouTube this morning where he calls me an agenda peddle, conveniently and cleverly misquotes me, removes Mayank’s [Agarwal] average of 70 at home, wants to gag views which are not in line with what he believes but wanted Rohit out…” he wrote.

“I have no agenda against any player, maybe there are others who have. Difference of opinion is fine but calling contrary views as apna personal agenda and Twitter par mat laayein [calling contrary views as personal agenda, and insisting not to put on Twitter] is funny for @cricketaakash, considering he has made a great career by airing his views. I have …”

“I have nothing against KL or any other player, my voice has been against unfair selection and different yardsticks for performers. Be it Sarfaraz or Kuldeep, have voiced based on merit. But it was disappointing to see Aakash calling it personal agenda.”

“This is what Aakash had aired when Rohit was 24 with 4 yrs in international cross. He can use sarcasm for Rohit at 24, and I cannot point out underperforming Rahul at 31 with 8 years in International cricket. Yeh bhi sahi hai [this is also fine *sarcastically*]”

“And the argument that we should not criticise a player in an ongoing match personally doesn’t make sense to me. That doesn’t affect the players performance. Most players don’t read views even after the match and no player can read in between match as phones are deposited :)”

“I admire Aakash for the hardwork he puts on his YouTube channel but calling a different view point as agenda because it doesn’t suit his narrative is poor. There is no bitterness between us and since his video was in public domain wanted to put my point out here. Best wishes”

For context, a war of words between the two started earlier this week, when Venkatesh commented on Rahul’s dismissal in the second India-Australia Test in Delhi. Rahul’s departure on 1 in the second innings prompted Venkatesh to quote his tweet from a week before, criticising the India opener for his continued failures:

And the torrid run continues. More to do with rigidity of the management to persist with a player who just hasn’t looked the part. No top order batsman in atleast last 20 years of Indian cricket has played these many tests with such a low average. His inclusion is …. https://t.co/WLe720nYNJ

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) February 18, 2023

That’s when Chopra entered the conversation, pointing out that “the Test match is still going on”, and that Venkatesh should reserve his criticism for later.

Venky Bhai, Test match chal raha hai. How about, at least, waiting for both the innings to get over. All of us are in the same team i.e. Team India. Not asking you to hold back your thoughts but timing could be a little better. After all, our game is all about the ‘timing’ 🙏 https://t.co/HvxtRQxQDn

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 19, 2023

To which, Venkatesh replied:

Honestly doesn’t matter , Aakash. In my view it is very fair criticism even if he scores a half century in the second innings . And between the match or after the match is irrelevant here. Best wishes for your lovely videos on YT, i do enjoy them. https://t.co/bkVGSEeg5w

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) February 19, 2023

The video Venkatesh refers to, published earlier today, has Chopra saying:

“KL Rahul played four innings in Bangladesh, he had a very poor average there. He played poorly, I agree with Venky, you’re right. But you haven’t said it. You aren’t talking about Bangladesh. You’re saying the guy doesn’t score runs only. But if you have only played three innings in the last three years at home, and you haven’t scored runs, is it right to start an entire Twitter tirade the moment he gets out? Just thinking…

“And the second time he gets out, you start tweeting during the match. What are we doing actually? Why?”

Chopra continues to say that runs in South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia mattered greatly, and goes on to take the example of Rohit Sharma to say how the tide turned for him in the second half of his career. Chopra goes on to add this with folded hands:

“I request with folded hands – please be patient and cool-headed. If there are any agendas, let’s not peddle them. Let’s talk about the numbers that are actually there. Not to suit your thoughts. It’s a pointless exercise. The numbers aren’t bad in the last three years.”

At that point, the text below Chopra in the video reads: “Are you agree with Venkatesh Prasad’s claims?”

He concludes the video with “Twitter tirade is… leave it for trolls. There are plenty of them already”.

You can watch the Chopra video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-k3AFHmNCA&ab_channel=AakashChopra