Prasidh Krishna Eyes Redemption After Costly Spell, Vows to Sharpen Lengths and Economy Rate

Prasidh Krishna, with only four Test appearances, is already pinpointing areas for improvement. His current economy rate of 5.07 across 90 overs is a key concern that he is actively working to reduce.

After an expensive outing in Leeds, the 29-year-old Prasidh Krishna is keen to make amends © Getty

Krishna's economy became particularly problematic during the Headingley Test, where he conceded 6.28 runs per over, while Shardul Thakur gave away 5.56. As the team's change bowlers, neither could maintain sufficient pressure, which intensified India's struggles after the spells of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

"Each time I bowl, my intention is to bowl a maiden over, not to concede boundaries," Krishna stated. He acknowledged that at Headingley, the fast outfield and his less-than-perfect lengths and lines contributed to the high run rate. He added that some conceded runs were due to edges and attempted bouncers.

Krishna emphasized the importance of taking wickets, even if it means conceding runs initially. "If I focus too much on my economy and not on taking wickets, it could cost the team. I'm willing to concede a boundary or two if it leads to a crucial wicket," he said. "However, my primary goal is always to keep the economy down and build pressure."

Krishna has engaged in discussions with teammates regarding his performance and is determined to improve his economy rate. He recognizes his responsibility to get better and is focused on putting in the necessary work to achieve that goal.

A closer look at his lengths reveals that Krishna bowled a significant number of balls (104 out of 211) short of a good length during the Test. While this approach earned him three of his five wickets, it also resulted in a high concession rate of 7.54 runs per over. Krishna admitted this was partly due to his reluctance to bowl fuller deliveries that could be easily driven.

Regarding his lengths, Krishna admitted, "In the first innings, I bowled a bit too short. The ideal length is between 6 and 8 meters. I improved slightly in the second innings because the wicket was slower, requiring me to pitch the ball slightly shorter initially and then go fuller when trying to take a wicket."

He accepted responsibility for not bowling the desired lengths, citing his unfamiliarity with the slope and reluctance to bowl fuller deliveries. "I take complete responsibility for it and I'll aim to do better next time," Krishna said.

With Jasprit Bumrah expected to miss at least two of the remaining four Tests due to workload management, Krishna faces increased responsibility in both attack and defense.

Krishna highlighted the team's culture of learning from each other, regardless of experience levels. He revealed that he has been in constant communication with Bumrah, even before the series began.

"I've been part of this team for a few years, and the conversations are always ongoing," Krishna noted. "Experience is something you have to gain yourself, and we're all excited about the opportunity. We have experienced players like Siraj, and whoever comes in will gain valuable experience. It's a great opportunity for all of us."

Besides his bowling, Krishna is also expected to contribute more with the bat, especially after India's batting collapses at Headingley. He, along with the other lower-order batsmen, have been working hard in the nets to improve their batting.

"As lower-order batsmen, we are definitely working on our batting," Krishna affirmed. "We're putting in the effort in the nets and focusing on trusting our skills and staying at the crease longer. The runs will come, and we are working towards that."