Prasidh Krishna Targets Sharper Bowling, Lower Economy Rate Amid England Test Series

Prasidh Krishna is determined to refine his bowling performance, focusing on length control and economy rate, during the ongoing Test series in England. After a somewhat expensive outing, the bowler acknowledges the need for improvement and takes responsibility for his performance.

After an expensive outing in Leeds, the 29-year-old Prasidh Krishna is keen to make amends © Getty

Identifying Areas for Improvement

Krishna's current Test economy rate stands at 5.07 after 90 overs. This is a key area he is actively working to improve. During the defeat at Headingley, his economy climbed to 6.28, while Shardul Thakur's was 5.56. The inability of these change bowlers to maintain pressure exacerbated India's challenges.

The Importance of Wickets and Economy

"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," Krishna stated. He admitted his lengths and lines at Headingley were not consistently accurate, leading to scoring opportunities for the batsmen.

Krishna also emphasized the importance of taking wickets, even if it means conceding some runs. He believes that building pressure is crucial, and he aims to keep the economy down while striving for breakthroughs.

Learning and Adapting

Krishna has had discussions with team members about his performance and is committed to improvement. He acknowledges that bringing his economy rate down is his responsibility, and he is dedicated to putting in the necessary work.

Length Concerns

The lengths Krishna bowled at Headingley were a significant factor. The ground is known to favor bowlers who pitch the ball in the fuller part of the good length (6-8 metre mark). However, Krishna bowled a high number of balls short of this length. While he took three wickets with this strategy, he also conceded runs at a rate of 7.54. He attributed this to a reluctance to bowl fuller deliveries that could be easily driven.

He added, "I definitely did not bowl the lengths that I wanted... not wanting to float it up there is definitely one of the reasons".

Stepping Up in Bumrah's Absence

With Jasprit Bumrah expected to miss at least two of the remaining Tests, Krishna faces increased responsibility, both in attack and defense. He emphasized the importance of learning from each other within the team's culture, regardless of who is present.

Contributing with the Bat

Beyond his bowling duties, Krishna is also aware of the need to contribute with the bat. Following India's batting collapses at Headingley, the lower-order batsmen have been working hard in the nets. Krishna recognizes the importance of valuing his wicket and spending more time at the crease.