Prasidh Krishna Vows to Sharpen Bowling Attack: Eyes Improved Lengths, Lower Run Rate

Prasidh Krishna is determined to improve his game, specifically targeting his bowling lengths and economy rate. With only four Tests under his belt, the bowler is already focused on addressing areas where he can contribute more effectively to the team.

Prasidh Krishna looking to bounce back after a costly performance. © Getty

Krishna's current economy rate of 5.07 after 90 overs is a key concern. He acknowledges the need to bring this number down to better serve the team's needs.

His economy became particularly problematic during the defeat at Headingley, where he conceded 6.28 runs per over, while Shardul Thakur gave away 5.56. The inability of these change bowlers to maintain pressure exacerbated India's struggles once the initial spells of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj concluded.

"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 explained. He admitted that at Headingley, his lengths and lines were not consistently accurate, leading to easy runs for the opposition.

Krishna elaborated on his thought process: "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 further stated, "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 his lengths, it was observed that Krishna bowled a significant number of deliveries – 104 out of 211 – shorter than a good length during the Test. While this approach earned him three wickets, it also resulted in a high concession rate of 7.54 runs per over. Krishna attributed this to a reluctance to bowl fuller deliveries that could be easily 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 said.

"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," Krishna added, underlining his commitment to improvement.

With Jasprit Bumrah set to miss at least two of the remaining four Tests, Krishna's role becomes even more critical. He will need to step up and deliver both offensively and defensively.

"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."

Beyond his bowling, Krishna is also expected to contribute with the bat, particularly after India's batting collapses at Headingley. The lower-order batsmen have been working hard in the nets, and Krishna is aware of the need to value his wicket.

"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."