‘Not chokers but…’: Prasad weighs in on India’s ICC trophy-less run

NEW DELHI: India’s long wait to win an ICC trophy continues to be a talking point with former players to fans raising questions on the team’s perennial problem. India last won a major ICC tournament back in 2013 – the ICC Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan recently labeled India as the most underachieving cricket team in the world.
“They haven’t won much in recent times. I think they are (an underachieving side). They don’t win anything. When was the last time they won something? With all the talent they have, all the skill-set (they should have achieved more,” said Vaughan.
Former pacer Venkatesh Prasad on Sunday also reacted to a query in Q & A session on X (formerly Twitter) on India’s prolonged quest for an ICC trophy.
Asked if India has become a new chokers of world cricket, Prasad straightaway brushed off the suggestions but reflected on the concerning aspect that the team has not clinched any major tournament for over a decade.
“Chokers not, we have won 2 Test series against Australia in Australia, the last one in 2020-21 after 36 all out, I consider as one of India’s greatest especially with more than half first choice players missing. But there is certainly something not right about not winning any major tournament in 11 years,” Prasad responded to a question.

In 2023, the ‘Men in Blue’ reached the final of ICC World Cup at home. They reached the finals of the 2019-21 and 2021-23 ICC World Test Championship, but have failed to win any of these tournaments.
Prasad also commended Virat Kohli, labeling him as a champion, and said that 2023 was the batter’s best year.
“He has proved again that he is a champion and the best batsman of this generation, been a phenomenal year for him. Would rate this as his best year, especially since it had come after a couple of difficult years for him. That hunger and zeal was refreshing and sign of a true champion that Virat is,” he said.