India vs Sri Lanka | ‘Quick learner’ Prasidh Krishna impresses Cheteshwar Pujara - Deccan Herald

<p>Bengaluru: While the likes of Manav Suthar and Devdutt Padikkal deservingly took up most of the headline space during India’s 165-run drubbing of Sri Lanka in the first Test, <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/prasidh-krishna">Prasidh Krishna</a>’s adaptability and discipline might have possibly gone under the shadows.</p>.<p>Prasidh’s inclusion in Galle though was more forced than strategic with Jasprit Bumrah ruled out from the Test series, but the Karnataka pacer strengthened his case as India’s go-to quick after Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.</p>.<p>Prasidh has always had the skill and speed in his armoury, but there were questions if he was one-dimensional. However, his exploits in Galle has mightily impressed former India cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara.</p>.India vs Sri Lanka | Preparation that led to performance.<p>“Very impressed with the way Prasidh has been bowling. Not just in Tests but also white-ball cricket. He’s been improving a lot. He is willing to learn quickly and has been adapting to situations and conditions very well,” Pujara said in an interaction arranged by <em>Sony Sports Network</em>.</p>.<p>“Prasidh picked up two very good wickets in the second innings. In those conditions, if you pick two wickets, it is as good as picking up four or five.”</p>.<p>Prasidh’s modus operandi is well outlined: Hit the deck, bowl back of a length, extract bounce and make the batter uncomfortable with speed. However, it was evident during the first Test that he’s been working on different lengths, angles, and seemed to have a better understanding of conditions.</p>.<p>“We saw in the first game that he is also willing to pitch the ball up a little further. As a tall quick, he usually bowls somewhere close to the 7-8 metre area, but here (Galle), he was going a little fuller considering the kind of pitch India were playing on and the situation,” Pujara added.</p>.<p>The Bengaluru man operated for 24 overs, giving away 63 runs and picked up three wickets in Galle. In phases, he also dried up one end bowling stingy spells.</p>.<p>“When you are challenged in different conditions, you need to adapt to it, and when you are working on your game, you should do it quickly at this level. And Prasidh has been doing it across formats.</p>.<p>“I agree he is our third seam bowling option after Bumrah and Siraj. He has the ability. And I am sure, not just in Tests alone, but also in India’s white-ball set-up, he will be one of the key factors going forward.”</p>.<p><strong>‘Faith in Kuldeep’</strong></p>.<p>There is a speculation that off-spinner Saransh Jain could make his Test debut replacing Kuldeep Yadav after his moderate returns in Galle. Pujara, however, feels India should back the left-arm wrist spinner.</p>.<p>“I hope the team management and the captain show a little more faith in Kuldeep. As a third spinner, you are bound to have those moments where you are not picking wickets or not bowling too many overs in the game. He has the ability to pick up wickets, and as someone who has the ability to win matches for India, it is important to show faith.”</p>