MUMBAI: Another impressive outing by Prasidh Krishna, who returned figures of 3-47 in 14 overs on a day when Sri Lanka’s batters showed plenty of resolve before rain halted play, emerged as one of India’s biggest positives on Day Three of the second Test at SSC.The tall pacer used the short ball effectively to dismiss Kamil Mishara and Kamindu Mendis, underlining his growing stature in India’s pace attack.Krishna’s journey to becoming a dependable Test bowler can be traced back to two formative stints during his teenage years.In 2016, as part of the IDBI Federal Bowling Foundation, he travelled to Australia with Tushar Deshpande and other young pacers to train under Australian fast-bowling great Jeff Thomson at Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.Former cricket administrator Dr Makarand Waingankar believes the exposure played a significant role in Krishna’s development. “They trained under Thomson, Greg Chappell and Michael Kasprowicz. That exposure stood Prasidh in good stead and helped improve his skills,” Waingankar told TOI.A year later, Krishna joined the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, where he honed his craft under legendary Australian quick Glenn McGrath. Over the years, McGrath and Brett Lee have both spoken highly of the Karnataka pacer, reinforcing the belief that he possessed the attributes needed to succeed at the highest level.One of Krishna’s biggest strengths today is his ability to combine steep bounce with a sharp leg-cutter and a well-disguised wobble-seam delivery. MRF Pace Foundation chief coach M Senthilnathan feels those qualities have helped him evolve into a bowler capable of making an impact whenever India need a breakthrough.“We always felt he had the potential to play at the highest level. Slowly, Krishna is turning into a spearhead of the Indian team and cementing his place. The most important thing is that he picks up wickets whenever he comes into the attack and breaks partnerships,” Senthilnathan said.The coach believes regular opportunities at the international level have accelerated Krishna’s growth. “The more fast bowlers play, the more confident they become. Now he feels that he belongs in the Indian team. The management has given him the confidence and they have seen that there is something special in him after all.”Senthilnathan highlighted Krishna’s height, pace and ability to strike at crucial moments as hallmarks of a mature fast bowler. “He has extra bounce, good speed and gets breakthroughs exactly when India want them. Those are signs that he is maturing and becoming a strike bowler.”While India captain Shubman Gill recently described this as the best version of Krishna, his former coach believes there is still more to come. According to Senthilnathan, Krishna is learning how to use the short ball to create pressure before finishing batters off with fuller deliveries, an important skill for a modern Test pacer.Krishna’s rise is all the more remarkable considering the serious back injury that once threatened to derail his career. The injury required surgery and kept him out of the game for an extended period. Now 30, however, the fast bowler looks fitter, stronger and more assured.“He has learnt how to take care of his body and what it takes to have a long career. He understands his workload and follows the right strengthening programmes,” Senthilnathan said.
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Standing 6ft 4in, Krishna’s height remains a significant asset, allowing him to extract awkward bounce. With confidence growing, fitness concerns behind him and the backing of the team management, the Karnataka pacer increasingly looks like the strike bowler India believe he can become.
