Test match bowler Prasidh Krishna discovers his burning passion and shines on the field
In the realm of Indian cricket, fast bowler Prasidh Krishna from Karnataka has been making waves. His journey in Test cricket began in Centurion at the end of 2023, and he returned to the limelight in the Sydney Test in early 2025, stepping in for the injured Jasprit Bumrah.
Krishna's debut performance in South Africa was underwhelming, leaking 93 runs in 20 overs in South Africa's first-innings total of 408. However, his bowling lengths in the 2025 England Tests have been inconsistent, with a noticeable struggle to maintain optimal "good length" areas. According to ESPNCricinfo, in the first two Tests in England, Prasidh Krishna's deliveries often hovered in the short-of-a-length region, with only 24 balls landing in the good length zone (6-8 metres). This inconsistency has impacted his economy and effectiveness, resulting in a high runs-per-over rate of 5.33 and an elevated bowling average over the series.
This struggle has made him vulnerable to being attacked by England's batsmen, reducing his impact and confidence. In the fifth Test at The Oval, he conceded 128 runs in an innings and appeared lethargic during key phases. However, moments like his tactical dismissal of Ben Duckett show potential for strategic improvements.
Krishna's inability to consistently hit these effective lengths has contributed to his record for the worst economy rate in Test cricket (minimum 500 balls bowled) at 5.26. This highlights his struggle to control runs and maintain pressure, making him a target for opposition batsmen.
Despite these challenges, Krishna possesses unique strengths. He can bowl consistently at 140 kmph and has a high-arm action with a natural lift, which helps him extract steep bounce and seam movement. In the Sydney Test, he demonstrated this prowess, finishing with three wickets, including the dismissal of Jamie Overton, set up with angled and shorter balls before nipping back in to strike the pads.
At The Oval, Krishna showed stability after earlier struggles in his Test career, delivering a crucial 4 for 62, a factor in India's victory. He made adjustments to his bowling at the nets, focusing on getting his lengths fuller, a strategy that seems to be paying off.
Improvement strategies for Krishna would involve focusing on consistently bowling a good length (6-8 metres), which is crucial in English conditions to extract seam and bounce while restricting scoring opportunities. Emphasizing accuracy over pace or trying too many variations could help build pressure and induce mistakes from batsmen. Additionally, working on his fitness and aggression to maintain intensity and confidence throughout spells will be important to complement tactical execution.
As the ENG vs IND series continues, fans can catch the live streaming details on the website. Krishna's journey is a testament to resilience and determination, and his potential for growth is undeniable. His performances in the coming matches will be eagerly awaited.
Prasidh Krishna's struggle with bowling consistency, particularly in the good length area, has impacted his performance in Test cricket, resulting in high economy and bowling averages and making him vulnerable to attacks from opposition batsmen. However, his ability to bowl consistently at high speeds and extract steep bounce and seam movement offers potential for improvement, with a focus on consistently bowling a good length (6-8 metres) and emphasizing accuracy over pace or trying too many variations key to his success.
In order to build pressure, induce mistakes from batsmen, and maintain his intensity and confidence, Krishna must work on his fitness and aggression in addition to focusing on his bowling technique. With the right approach, Krishna can continue to grow and develop as a fast bowler, making his performances in upcoming matches anxiously anticipated by fans.
