Prasidh Krishna: Finding His Rhythm on the Cricket Field
There was a time when Indian cricket fans had high hopes for Prasidh Krishna. Back in 2017, MSK Prasad, the then chairman of selectors, pointed out that this tall bowler from Karnataka had the potential to be a vital piece of India’s fast bowling strategy. With his impressive height, speed, and bounce, he seemed like a promising talent. However, transforming that promise into a solid international career has been quite a challenge.
Prasidh made his One Day International (ODI) debut in 2021 and followed it up with his Test debut two years later. Yet, by the age of 30, he had played just eight Test matches. Injuries plagued his career, and his occasional struggle to control runs often made him a target for criticism when things went awry. His raw talent was undeniable, but staying consistent was the real issue.
However, in a recent match in Colombo, Prasidh showcased some of the skills that fans have always believed he possesses. In a match where India scored a massive 503 runs, there wasn’t much assistance for fast bowlers, but Prasidh, alongside Mohammed Siraj, managed to make the pitch work for him. He maintained hard lengths and successfully extracted bounce, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s batters felt uneasy.
On Monday, he claimed his first wicket when a well-pitched delivery caught the edge of Lahiru Udara’s bat, leading to a neat catch by Yashasvi Jaiswal. The following morning, Prasidh displayed his growth as a bowler by repeatedly hitting the right lengths and troubling Kamil Mishara, who eventually edged one behind after being caught off guard by the bounce.
By the end of the day, Prasidh had impressive figures of 3 wickets for 47 runs in 14 overs, as Sri Lanka struggled at 265/8, still 238 runs behind India’s total. What stood out was his bowling style: there was no frantic search for wickets, just a calm focus on hitting the pitch hard and utilizing his height.
India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, highlighted how Prasidh’s recent spell showed his true character. He noted that despite the pressure from media and fans, Prasidh had been able to maintain his composure and focus on his game. “He has the media on his back, and he’s been fighting through that,” Morkel said.
For years, the young bowler faced two major challenges: the batsmen on the field and the expectations weighing on him from outside. Morkel emphasized the importance of silencing those distractions and simply enjoying the game.
Prasidh’s career path has been anything but straightforward. He made his Test debut against South Africa amid recovery from a lumbar stress fracture and struggled to make an impact in that series. Following a serious quadriceps injury, he missed the 2024 IPL season and faced more delays. However, when he returned, he proved why there was so much faith in him, taking six wickets during a Test against Australia and standing out during the 2025 tour to England.
His performance in the IPL also helped him gain attention, winning the Purple Cap in 2025 with 25 wickets for the Gujarat Titans, followed by another solid season. Now, as he finally finds some stability with his fitness, his statistics in Test cricket are starting to reflect his potential.
Prasidh’s bowling style isn’t focused solely on being economical. Instead, he thrives when creating openings, using his speed and bounce to pressure batters. Morkel explained that they plan to utilize him strategically to maximize his strengths—an approach that proved beneficial during the challenging 2025 England series.
Commentators have started to notice the unique qualities Prasidh brings to the bowling lineup. Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out that Prasidh offers a different threat compared to other bowlers like Siraj or Bumrah, using his height to extract bounce and seam movement that can trouble batters significantly.
After years of waiting, it appears the promise is finally translating into strong performances. Now, at 30, Prasidh seems focused on simply playing cricket rather than worrying about the doubts surrounding him. As Morkel remarked, he is on the path to becoming a world-class bowler with the potential for a long career with India across formats.
In conclusion, Prasidh Krishna’s journey reflects resilience and growth. With his recent performances, fans and teammates alike are hopeful that he is just getting started on a promising path ahead.
