Bowling is a matter of rhythm: Venky

MANGALORE: Venky out thought his batsmen and none other than former Pakistani opener Aamer Sohail, who came out poorer after an unprovoked go at this lanky Indian pacer in Bangalore in a World Cup fixture can vouch for. But on Thursday, the former bowling coach of 'men in blue' Venkatesh Prasad was pushed on to the back foot by children from select schools at a specially arranged quick fire interaction with him.
The occasion was Venky handing over the ISO 22000:2005 certification to Pradeep Pai, managing director of Hangyo Ice Creams Pvt Ltd here. Admitting that it is difficult to bowl to each international batsmen for they are good when representing their country, Venky however said he dreaded bowling to Sanath Jayasurya, especially in the late 1990s when he was "murdering every bowler" in sight. "Even now he is good," Prasad said.
Picking out Mitchell Johnson of Australia, Praveen Kumar and Ishant Sharma as his favourite bowlers, Prasad on the last of three above named said was feeling the heat in his mind. "Bowling is a matter of rhythm and a bowler is always on the top of the game when among the wickets," he said, adding that Ishant, who had dropped pace, was since doing well in the recent games against Australia in the ongoing ODI series.
Admitting candidly that he would have loved to become a pilot, Prasad said had he been selected for an Independence Day parade during his school days, his career would have been a lot different than what it is today. This revelation brought a sense of gasp on his wife Jayanthi's face. "I would have had palpitations if Venky was flying," Jayanthi, the southern regional head of Kingfisher Airlines later told reporters in a lighter vein.
The Ceat International Cricketer of the Year in 1996, Venky, who grew up playing tennis ball cricket advised Rishab of Canara High School to wear protective gear while playing real cricket. In a subtle advise to players, coaches and parents, Venky said he encourages his son Prithvi, a seventh standard student of The International School Bangalore to excel in cricket apart from academics, but does not push him. "Let them grow," Prasad said.