India’s fast bowler Prasidh Krishna’s childhood coach, P. Srinivasa Murthy, praised his ward for bowling with guile in the fifth Test match against England at the Kennington Oval, London. After not grabbing his chance in the first two Test matches, Krishna bagged four wickets each in both innings of the final Test.
On the final day’s play, Krishna moved a fielder to fine third man against Josh Tongue. However, it was a bluff as the lanky pacer bowled Tongue with an accurate yorker.
The fast bowler returned with figures of 4-62 in the first innings at the Oval. Subsequently, Krishna then bagged 4-126 in the second innings.
Murthy told TOI, “He’s a thinker and a very smart kid. They generally kept a fielder for a bouncer, telling Tongue that boss, ‘Please expect a bouncer right now’. Krishna then played a three-card trick by bowling a full-length delivery.”
Krishna took a total of 14 wickets in three Test matches at an average of 37.07 against England and Murthy said his pupil’s performance should give confidence to the team’s think tank to back him.
“We are not sure how regularly Jasprit Bumrah can play, as is the case with Mohammed Shami. Krishna’s performance in this series should give confidence to the team management that he can be invested in, especially when it comes to playing Tests in SENA countries,” he added.
Murthy reckons the selectors and the team might not back Krishna in home Test matches.
“I’m sure that the selection committee probably won’t make him play Tests in Indian conditions. Siraj will be your number one pacer alongside Bumrah. Krishna’s chances of playing Test cricket in India will be very far and very few, for which he needs to be mentally prepared.”
The childhood coach wants Krishna to take a leaf out of Mohammed Siraj’s book and become stronger and fitter.
“The same thing happened with Srinath, who used to be majorly benched alongside Venkatesh Prasad in India. I would want Krishna to become stronger and super fit, just like Siraj. If he continues being lanky, there will always be issues related to his back,” he stressed.
Murthy said Krishna worked on his line and length ahead of the fifth Test after he could not deliver in the first two matches.
“Krishna could have been far more consistent earlier in the series. He actually played into England’s hands because they enjoyed the width on offer. To be fair, he was assigned the responsibility of bowling short to the opposition batters, which they were very comfortable against.”
“Krishna worked on his line and length after being dropped from the lineup and was far more consistent in the final Test, which is what brought results,” Murthy added.
Krishna would have certainly grown in confidence after his performance in the fifth Test against England.
