IND vs SA: Sanjay Bangar Backs Prasidh Krishna Despite A Below-Average Start To His Test Career
Published - 28 Dec 2023, 01:21 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:24 AM
Former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar has expressed confidence in speedster Prasidh Krishna’s potential to excel in Test cricket. Sanjay Bangar acknowledged that a below-average beginning is not uncommon, citing ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s initial struggles.
Prasidh Krishna made his Test debut for India in the series opener at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The right-arm pacer conceded 61 runs in 15 overs, despite securing his maiden wicket by dismissing South African wicketkeeper batter Kyle Verreynne on Day 2.
South Africa finished Day 2 at 256 for 5, holding an 11-run lead in the series opener. The visiting team was bowled out for 245 runs in their first innings. KL Rahul, who batted in the middle order, scored a magnificent century to aid his team’s recovery from a poor start.
This Happened To Somebody Like Jasprit Bumrah As Well – Sanjay Bangar
In a conversation with Star Sports on Wednesday, Sanjay Bangar commented on Prasidh Krishna‘s challenging start, drawing parallels with Jasprit Bumrah. Bangar said that Krishna found success after returning to his natural length and hitting it hard.
“I feel this can happen. This has happened to somebody like Jasprit Bumrah as well. I still remember the first Test which happened in Cape Town. On Day 1, he went for 60-70 runs. After that he resorted to his natural length, which is hitting the length hard,” said Bangar.
Bangar was part of the team management during the 2018 South Africa tour. Bumrah made his Test debut in Cape Town, conceding 73 runs in 19 overs but managing to secure the crucial wicket of AB de Villiers. He took three wickets for 39 runs in the second innings.
Prasidh Krishna Still Be A Handful – Sanjay Bangar
Sanjay Bangar suggested that Prasidh Krishna should prioritize extracting extra bounce from the pitch rather than relying on swing. Bangar acknowledged that it’s early days for Prasidh but pointed out that a below-average start to a Test career is not unique to him.
“That’s what you saw, the clear of point of difference that the team management was hoping from Prasidh might not come into great effect in the first spell itself. But in the second spell, we saw if he can stick to that length of hitting the deck hard and not go searching for swing, he can still be a handful. Early days for Prasidh, but he is not the only one who has had a sort of a below-average start to his Test career,” Bangar added.
Dean Elgar scored his 14th Test century, which propelled South Africa to an 11-run lead by the conclusion of Day 2 in the Boxing Day Test against India. With Temba Bavuma uncertain to bat, Indian bowlers aim to limit the opposition to a minimal lead in the first innings.
The former South African captain secured his second Test century against India, with the first accomplished in 2019. Elgar formed a crucial partnership with debutant David Bedigham, putting pressure on the opposition bowlers in the Boxing Day match.
