IND vs SA: "First-Match Nervousness" - Irfan Pathan On Reason Behind Prasidh Krishna's Failure In 1st Test

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that young pacer Prasidh Krishna has the potential for a significantly improved performance in Test cricket. Irfan Pathan emphasized that Krishna is well-suited for South African pitches, highlighting his high release point.

India experienced a significant setback in the Boxing Day Test, enduring a loss by an innings and 32 runs in Centurion. The Indian batters struggled against the South African pacers, as they posted totals of 245 runs and 131 runs in the first and second innings, respectively.

South Africa scored 408 runs in their sole innings during the series opener, allowing the hosts to secure an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. The Rohit Sharma-led team now can’t earn their maiden Test series victory in South Africa with the loss in the first game.

Prasidh Krishna’s Length Could Be Perfect On South African Pitches – Irfan Pathan

Speaking to Star Sports ahead of the second Test, Irfan Pathan emphasized the importance of Prasidh Krishna finding the right length for South African pitches. Pathan noted that Prasidh did not consistently hit the desired length in the series opener.

“Prasidh Krishna can bowl much better than how he did in Centurion. His length could be perfect on South African pictches. If you look at the height that Rabada bowls from, Prasidh bowls a similar length, which is full but not for a drive. But that length was not seen in the first Test,” said Irfan.

Prasidh Krishna replaced Mohammed Shami, who was ruled out of the series due to a heel injury, in India’s playing XI. The right-arm pacer had a challenging start to his Test career for India, conceding 93 runs in 20 overs while managing to secure just one wicket.

Prasidh Krishna Was Trying To Bowl Loopy Deliveries – Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan suggested that he seemed to be attempting loopy deliveries instead of hitting the deck hard due to nervousness. Irfan advised Prasidh Krishna to focus on delivering with more force if given the opportunity to play in the second match of the series.

“It looked like he was trying to bowl loopy deliveries and not hitting the deck hard. If he tries to hit the deck, he’ll get more purchase. Maybe this was the first-match nervousness. He couldn’t make the adjudtement but I’ll be hoping for a better performance if he plays the second match,” Irfan added.

The Rohit Sharma-led team is set to take on South Africa in the second and final Test at the Wanderers Stadium in Cape Town on January 3. The visitors might stick to their lineup, with the exception of Ravindra Jadeja returning to the playing XI for the New Year Test.

Young Pacer Avesh Khan has been included in India’s Test squad for the second match against South Africa in Cape Town. Mukesh Kumar, an experienced Bengal pacer, also stands as an alternative for the crucial Test match.

India’s squad for 2nd Test: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Avesh Khan

Also read: IND vs SA: “Shardul Thakur And Prasidh Krishna Definitely Need To Up Their Game” – Dinesh Karthik