Just IN: BCCI Adds Reserve Player Prasidh Krishna In India Squad For Remainder Of Test Series vs England

Pacer Prasidh Krishna has been added to India‘s squad for the fourth Test, slotted for the Kia Oval from September 2. The BCCI, in a release, stated that the speedster’s inclusion has been made “based on the request of the team management”.

Prasidh Krishna has been with the Indian contingent as a standby player or a reserve player from the start of their tour to England, for the WTC final against New Zealand in June. The only other player remaining on the standby list is Gujarat’s Arzan Nagwaswalla; Avesh Khan had earlier been ruled out of the series due to an injury.

It’s not clear why specifically Prasidh Krishna has been roped in the squad. There were some rumors about Ishant Sharma not being completely fit in the third Test in Leeds, which India lost by a massive margin of an innings and 76 runs.

Ishant was off-colour at Headingley – he was down on pace, slow in his run-up, and didn’t look menacing at all with the ball. He went wicketless for 22 overs while leaking away 92 runs. India captain Virat Kohli, though, after the match, said he was unaware of any issues if it were there with Ishant, who is in the squad for the fourth Test.

“I am obviously not watching his run-up. I am standing in the slips, so I have to watch the bat of the batter. So I am not analysing how he [Ishant] is moving on the field,” Kohli said.

Prasidh Krishna made his India debut earlier in March, during the ODI series against England in Pune. He snapped 6 wickets in 3 matches and was impressive with his accuracy and pace at times.

Should India ring any changes in the bowling line-up for the fourth Test, Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav are believes to be higher in the pecking order than Prasidh Krishna.

England add Chris Woakes to the squad; Moeen Ali announced as vice-captain

England have gained a boost in the form of Chris Woakes ahead of the fourth Test. The seam-bowling all-rounder missed the first three Tests due to a heel injury but is now set to play his first Test match of the year. Sam Curran seems to be the one who would miss out.

Moeen Ali has been named as the vice-captain for the Oval Test in absence of Jos Buttler, who is unavailable due to the expected arrival of his second child. The series stands level at 1-1 after three Tests.

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