NEW DELHI: His 'selection is not based on performance but favouritism,' were some of the strong words used by former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad as he criticized KL Rahul's torrid run in Test cricket. Without mincing his words, Prasad hit out at Rahul for his consistent failures and inability to score despite being given many chances. Prasad pointed out that many cricketers have been 'waiting in the wings & in top form' but Rahul has been unable to convert his potential into performances. "I have a lot of regard for KL Rahul’s talent and ability, but sadly his performances have been well below par. A test average of 34 after 46 tests and more than 8 years in international cricket is ordinary. Can’t think of many who have been given so many chances. Especially when there are so many waiting in the wings & in top form. Shubhman Gill is in sublime form, Sarfaraz has been scoring tons in FC cricket and many who deserve a chance ahead of Rahul. Some are just lucky to be given chances endlessly till they succeed while some aren’t allowed to," said Prasad in a Tweet. "And to make matters worse, Rahul is the designated vice-captain. Ashwin has a great cricketing brain, should be the vice captain in the Test format. If not him should be Pujara or Jadeja .Mayank Agarwal had a far better impact than Rahul in Tests and so did Vihari. Rahul’s selection is not based on performance but favouritism . Has been Consistently inconsistent and for someone who has been around for 8 years not converted potential into performances. One of the reasons why many ex-cricketers aren’t vocal despite seeing such favouritism..is the chances of losing out on potential IPL gigs. They wouldn’t want to rub the captain of a franchisee wrong way, as in today’s age most people like yes men and blind approvers. Often well wishers are your best critics but times have changed & people don’t want to be told truth," said Prasad.I have a lot of regard for KL Rahul’s talent and ability, but sadly his performances have been well below par. A te… https://t.co/CXbWpO3fRT— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) 1676095871000In the last India Test series against Bangladesh, Rahul was the skipper of the Indian team but flopped with the bat, scoring 22,23, 10 and 2 in four innings. In the first innings of the ongoing India vs Australia first Test, Rahul cheaply fell for 20.Recently Team India batting coach Vikram Rathour went on the defensive when question about KL Rahul's form cropped up in a post match presser.When asked if Rahul was lucky to be considered in the playing XI despite his poor run of form, Rathour replied: "I won't be able to comment on that.""But he (Rahul) has scored two hundreds in his last 10 Tests – one in England and other in South Africa and also has a couple of fifties. So we are not yet there."