Prasidh Krishna Vows to Sharpen Length, Curtail Runs in Test Cricket

Prasidh Krishna is determined to lower his economy rate and improve his bowling lengths in Test cricket. The bowler acknowledges his responsibility to perform better for the team.

After playing just four Tests, Krishna has identified his economy rate of 5.07 as a key area for improvement.

Prasidh Krishna looking to bounce back after expensive spell in Leeds © Getty

Addressing Concerns from Headingley Defeat

His economy became a significant concern during the Headingley Test, where he conceded runs at 6.28 per over. Shardul Thakur also struggled, with an economy of 5.56. Their inability to maintain pressure as change bowlers amplified India's difficulties after the spells of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

Krishna stated, "Every time I come into bowl, I'm definitely looking to bowl a maiden and I'm not really trying to give away boundaries or anything. The outfield [at Headingley] was fast, the lengths, lines that I bowled were not perfect to be honest at most times, and they took me on. Some of them were edges, some of them I tried bowling bouncers, I ended up giving runs."

Taking Responsibility and Aiming for Wickets

Krishna emphasized his focus on taking wickets, even if it means conceding runs occasionally. "So I think somebody in the team had to do it, and if I sit back and say, 'I want to look at my numbers, what my economy is,' and not really look at the wickets, it cost me a 4 and a 6, and then Jamie Smith got out, so if it means that I do that and get a wicket, I'm happy to do it, but definitely every time I come on to the bowl, I am looking to keep the economy down and build the pressure up."

He added, "I had a few conversations with a few of them about this game. I definitely would want to bring that [economy] down to whatever best I can do, and yeah, I think I'm learning as well, I can't say anything, it's up to me, it's my responsibility to get better, and that's what I'm trying, that's what I'm working on, and I just want to make sure I put in the right kind of work and come back here and put up better numbers."

Analyzing Bowling Lengths

Krishna acknowledged his lengths were not ideal at Headingley. He bowled a significant number of balls short of a good length, which, while fetching him wickets, also proved expensive. He attributed this to a reluctance to bowl fuller and risk being driven.

"No, I think if I look at the first innings, I was a little too short than where I wanted to be, that 6 to 8 [metre length] is ideal. Yeah, that's what I would say. I think the second innings got slightly better because again, the wicket was slightly slower. I had to pitch a few slightly behind it and then go slightly fuller when I'm trying to get a wicket."

He further explained, "So yeah, I definitely did not bowl the lengths that I wanted. Yeah, I think so... not wanting to float it up there is definitely one of the reasons, and also, it honestly took me some time to get used to the slope, that's why, yeah, no reasons why I shouldn't be able to do it as a professional, but I take complete responsibility about it, and maybe I'll do it better next time."

Increased Responsibility in Bumrah's Absence

With Jasprit Bumrah set to miss some of the remaining Tests, Krishna is aware of the added responsibility on his shoulders.

"What the culture that we guys have created is we are learning off each other, no matter who's there, who's around. He's [Bumrah] been talking to all of us all though, even before coming here."

"At least for me, I've been part of this team for a few years now, so the conversations are still going on. One thing you cannot get is experience, that you have to do it yourself, and yeah, I think all of us are excited. If you look at the team, everybody is here, Siraj has played a lot of games, he's going to continue playing, and then whoever comes in, or whatever happens later, it's a great experience, and it's an opportunity for us to be here."

Contributing with the Bat

Beyond his bowling, Krishna is also focused on improving his batting, especially after India's batting collapses at Headingley.

"As the lower order batsmen, we definitely are working on it... if you look at our nets session, we are putting in the work, I think it is about putting your mind in there as well, making sure you trust yourself, trust the skill that you have, and be there at the crease for a little longer, and then the numbers and the runs are going to show, and we are working towards it."