There must have been a very solid reason, why India pacer Prasidh Krishna was not tried in T20Is, since November 2023. And when he was finally given a chance in the IND vs IRE 1st T20I in Belfast on Thursday, he returned with figures of 0/57 in his 4 overs, where the economy rate was 14.20.
Prasidh Krishna has an off day against Ireland
The lanky fast bowler has become a preferred choice in the ODIs and Tests, but somehow seems to be lacking the skill for the T20Is, where his record reads — M -6, W-8, Ave-34.62, ECO-11.54. For a bowler to have that kind of an economy is just criminal; more so for Prasidh Krishna, who has been one of the best bowlers in IPL, for the last two years.
In IPL 2025 he was the purple cap holder and finished with 25 wickets in 15 matches, where the economy was only 8.27. This year, in 12 matches, he picked up 16 wickets where the economy was 10.43. Those figures on wickets in India, which are custom-made for the batters, where 200 is a norm.
Yes, one can argue, it was just one off day for the bowler marking his return to the format, but then the way he bowled doesn’t instill too much confidence either. In his last over, he figures read — 4,1,4,6,6,6, where Gareth Delany (49), and George Dockrell (19) just tore him to pieces.
Other pacers come good in Belfast
In his nascent 6-match career, this is the third time he has given over 50 runs in his spell. IN fact, in his very last encounter against Australia, he had returned with figures of 0/68. In the same series against Australia, he had also been struck for 50 runs in 4 overs at Visakhapatnam.
Prasidh Krishna in Last 4 T20I matches
- 1/50 v AUS
- 3/41 v AUS
- 0/68 v AUS
- 0/57 v IRE*
- Eco.rate : 13.50
In contrast, the other Indian pacers were largely good. Harshit Rana, who was making a comeback after a long injury layoff, returned with figures of 3/24, while Arshdeep Singh was excellent with 2/28. Part-timer Shivam Dube, who doesn’t bowl that often, also bagged a wicket for 18 runs in his 3 overs.
So, there is clearly an issue here, which needs to be addressed. Perhaps, he needs to show better adaptability to the lengths he hits. Sometimes, it is not difficult to guess, he becomes way too predictable with his shorter deliveries, in order to get more bounce off the deck, and the batters are prepared for it.
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