ICC World Cup 2023: Shardul Thakur And Prasidh Krishna To Fight It Out For Fourth Pacer's Slot For World Cup: Report

Prasidh Krishna has reportedly joined the race for the fourth pacer’s slot in the India squad for the upcoming IC ODI World Cup 2023. Not very long ago, Shardul Thakur was seen as the favourite for the slot but Prasidh Krishna has come up with fine performances in his comeback series to blow the race wide open.

The Karnataka pacer recently returned to action after being sidelined with a back injury for a year. Before playing in the ongoing three-match T20I series against Ireland, his last appearance for Team India had come in August last year. Prasidh Krishna was sidelined with a lumbar stress fracture and had to undertake extended rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy.

Prasidh Krishna has impressed one and all with his pace and bounce in the two T20Is he has played in the series so far. In two games, he has picked up 4 wickets and is now very well in contention to be a part of India’s squad for the upcoming World Cup.

Shardul Thakur vs Prasidh Krishna:

India are likely to pick four pacers in their World Cup squad and three of them are all but confirmed – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj. Shardul Thakur’s performance against West Indies made many say that the race for the fourth pacer has ended too as the pacer ended the three-match series as the highest wicket-taker.

In three games, he picked up 8 wickets including 4 wickets in the do-or-die third ODI as India clinched the series. But according to a report in The Times of India, Prasidh Krishna has also put himself in contention after his impressive return. The report further stated that both players are likely to undergo trials if India opts for a 17-member roster for the Asia Cup.

Shardul Thakur’s batting ability could tilt the balance in his favor. The news outlet claimed that the Mumbai star is expected to get the nod for the World Cup, and Prasidh Krishna will remain in team management’s scheme of things. The World Cup is scheduled to start on October 5 and the deadline to submit the provisional squad is September 5.