It was not about short-pitched deliveries or the fiery spells former Test cricketer Venkatesh Prasad bowled. Prasad spoke of his role as a father in moulding his son Prithvi Prasad’s character at a function held here on Tuesday.
Prasad revealed that the happiest day of his life was when he first held 15-day-old Prithvi.
“I got the news while I was touring West Indies. It was only after 15 days that I had a chance to see my son,” recalls the cricketer. He added, “It was the happiest moment of my life... much more than playing for the country.”
Known for his escapades with the ball, Prasad also talked about his father and his family, and about controlling aggression on the field, during a press conference organised by Gillette on ‘Because You are a Role Model’.
Prasad said his responsibility grew when he became a father. “I was more responsible for every single thing I did on and off the field,” he said.
He told the audience later that he wouldn’t force his son to do anything, including playing cricket.
“The primary focus is education and I want him to excel in it,” he said.
“But he has the freedom of choice. I want him to enjoy cricket and not consider it as pressure,” Prasad explained.
There was also some excitement when the father and son decided to shave together on stage, using Gillette razors, of course. A nervous Prithvi, who had never had a shave before, emulated his father who gave him some pointers here and there.
A study conducted by Nielsen was also released. The study stated that 71 per cent of fathers in Chennai believed cricketers were role models for their sons. The study brought to light the fact that 78 per cent of the city’s dads did not like cricketers sledging because their sons were watching the game with them.
On the subject, Prasad said there was immense pressure on cricketers. “It is the pressure of expectation. Players tend to lose control of their emotions. So they get aggressive,” he stated, but made sure to point out, “It happens in the heat of the moment, but it should not cross the line.”