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Venkatesh Prasad Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 16, 2026 • 4 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth5 August 1969

Age55 Years

BirthplaceBangalore, Karnataka

ProfessionFormer Indian Cricketer (Bowler)

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseJayanthi Prasad

FamilySon: Prithvi Prasad

Venkatesh Prasad Biography

Former India fast bowler known for seam movement and a potent slower leg-cutter, Venkatesh Prasad represented India in the 1990s and early 2000s, laterserv

Early life and background

Bapu Krishnarao Venkatesh Prasad was born on 5 August 1969 in Bangalore, Karnataka. Raised in the city he lists as his hometown, Prasad attended ITI Vidya Mandir for school and went on to study engineering at M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering. He also holds a Post Graduate Certificate from the University of London.

Sport was central to his youth. With limited cricket facilities at school he played hockey and represented his school in multiple sports, including volleyball, basketball, football and kabaddi. Tennis-ball cricket featured prominently in his childhood routine and helped shape his early love for the game. Prasad later developed his bowling at the MRF Pace Foundation in Madras, where he refined an effective outswinger and added slower deliveries that became trademarks of his bowling.

Career

Prasad made his One Day International debut for India on 2 April 1994 against New Zealand, and his Test debut followed on 7 June 1996 against England. A right-arm medium-fast bowler and a right-handed batsman, he represented Karnataka in domestic cricket. He never played T20 internationals.

Across the 1990s Prasad formed a formidable new-ball partnership with Javagal Srinath. Srinath’s bounce and Prasad’s seam movement and crafty slower leg-cutter gave the Indian pace attack a strong contrast. One of his standout Test achievements came in South Africa in 1996, when he became the first overseas bowler since the 1950s to take 10 wickets in a match on that soil.

In limited-overs cricket, Prasad produced several match-defining performances. In the 1999 Cricket World Cup he posted figures of 5 for 27 against Pakistan while defending a modest total, a spell widely remembered for swinging the game back in India’s favour. In the 1996 World Cup quarter-final versus Pakistan he also played a pivotal role, responding to on-field provocation by bowling a ball that uprooted the batter’s stumps and helped shift momentum.

Prasad’s international career was repeatedly impacted by injuries. His last Test appearance came on 29 August 2001 against Sri Lanka and his final ODI was on 17 March 2001 versus Kenya. He formally announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in May 2005.

Coaching and selector roles

After his playing days Prasad moved into coaching and administration. He served as India’s bowling coach on the Bangladesh tour in May 2007 following the 2007 World Cup, and had earlier been involved with India Under-19, guiding the side that finished runner-up at the 2006 Under-19 World Cup. He later served as Chief Junior Selector and worked alongside Rahul Dravid during that tenure, stepping down from the selector role in March 2018.

Public profile

Prasad has remained a visible figure in Indian cricket circles. He is frequently cited for his disciplined fitness routine and is described as a regular gym-goer. On the field he was known for introducing variations and slower balls into his bowling, and he never opened the bowling in international cricket despite being a frontline seamer.

Beyond the boundary, he has appeared in popular media. He acted in a Kannada film in 2014, portraying a coach, and featured in a widely seen TV commercial in which his on-screen persona drew positive attention.

Personal life

Prasad is married to Jayanthi Prasad; the couple married on 22 April 1996 and have a son named Prithvi. He follows a vegetarian diet, lists watching movies and playing golf among his hobbies, and has spoken about inspirational figures such as Kapil Dev and Nelson Mandela. His parents include the late Bapu Krishna Rama Rao; his mother’s name is not listed in public records cited here.

Latest updates

In March 2018 Prasad announced his resignation as Chief Junior Selector but did not elaborate on the reasons. He has continued to be connected with the game through coaching, selection work and public appearances.

Prasad’s career is remembered for his tactical seam bowling, the effective use of slower deliveries, and several high-impact performances for India across Tests and ODIs in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Venkatesh Prasad, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

Sachin! Tendulkar Alla (Kannada film)

Acted in the 2014 Kannada film playing the role of a coach.

2014
CRED TV commercial "The Vengaboys"

Featured in a TV commercial alongside fellow former cricketers, receiving positive attention for his performance.

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Career Highlights

  1. Made ODI debut for India on 2 April 1994
  2. Test debut on 7 June 1996
  3. Five-wicket haul of 5 for 27 against Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup
  4. First overseas bowler since the 1950s to take 10 wickets in a match in South Africa (1996)
  5. Received the Arjuna Award in 2000
  6. Served as India’s bowling coach (May 2007) and later as Chief Junior Selector
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Venkatesh Prasad born?

Venkatesh Prasad was born on 5 August 1969.

What is Venkatesh Prasad known for?

Venkatesh Prasad is known for former Indian Cricketer (Bowler).

What is Venkatesh Prasad’s marital status?

Venkatesh Prasad's marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Venkatesh Prasad married to?

Venkatesh Prasad is publicly listed as married to Jayanthi Prasad.