Prasidh Krishna has become the target of online criticism following a difficult spell on Day 3 of the second Test against England at Edgbaston. The Indian pacer, already under pressure after an expensive outing in the previous Test, struggled to contain the English batsmen, particularly Jamie Smith, who took a liking to his bowling.
India had a promising start to the day, with Mohammed Siraj dismissing both Joe Root and Ben Stokes in quick succession. However, Prasidh Krishna's introduction into the attack saw the momentum shift as he conceded 23 runs in a single over. Jamie Smith, the England wicketkeeper-batter, seized the opportunity, smashing four boundaries and a six. Krishna's strategy of bowling short, with a leg-side field, backfired as Smith repeatedly dispatched the deliveries to the boundary.
The expensive over not only released the pressure on England but also allowed Smith and Harry Brook to build a counter-attacking partnership. Social media erupted with criticism of Krishna's performance, with fans questioning his selection and the short-ball tactics employed. Some users even compared him unfavorably to other Indian bowlers.
According to a social media post, Krishna now holds the record for the worst economy rate in the history of Test cricket (minimum 500 balls bowled), although NDTV could not verify this stat. At the time that the information was posted, Krishna had conceded more than five runs per over in his Test career. The previous record was held by Shahadat Hossain of Bangladesh, who conceded runs at an economy rate of 4.16.
The criticism extends beyond just the runs conceded. There are concerns about Krishna's inability to maintain a consistent line and length, with many deliveries being too short and easily dispatched by the batsmen. Some analysts suggest that Krishna's natural length is more effective on the Edgbaston wicket. Furthermore, there are concerns that the short-ball strategy is tiring for the bowler and may affect his pace and accuracy later in the match.
Despite picking up wickets in the first Test, Krishna's high economy rate has been a concern. With Jasprit Bumrah expected to return for the next Test, Krishna's place in the team is under scrutiny, especially considering Akash Deep's impressive performance. Some reports suggest Krishna entered the Edgbaston Test under significant pressure to improve, especially after his expensive performance in the first match at Headingley.
Jamie Smith went on to score a rapid century, reaching the milestone off just 80 balls. His aggressive innings, along with Brook's solid support, helped England recover from a precarious position and put the pressure back on the Indian bowlers. Smith's century was the joint third-fastest for England in Tests.
The events at Edgbaston have put Prasidh Krishna's performance and place in the team under a microscope. While he has shown promise in the past, his current form and struggles with consistency have made him a target for criticism and raised questions about his future in the Indian Test side.
