Prasidh Krishna Targets Accuracy and Economy After Headingley Defeat

Prasidh Krishna, with four Test appearances under his belt, is focusing on refining his bowling economy rate. After conceding 5.07 runs per over across 90 overs, he's determined to improve this aspect of his game.

Prasidh Krishna seeks redemption after costly spell in Leeds © Getty

His economy rate became a significant concern following the defeat at Headingley, where he conceded 6.28 runs per over, while Shardul Thakur gave away 5.56. Their inability to maintain pressure as the first change bowlers intensified India's struggles after the initial spells from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

Krishna stated, "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. The outfield [at Headingley] was fast; the lengths, lines that I bowled were not perfect, to be honest, at most times, and they took me on. Some of them were edges, some of them I tried bowling bouncers, I ended up giving runs."

He further elaborated on his approach: "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 bowl, I am looking to keep the economy down and build the pressure up."

Krishna acknowledged the need for improvement after discussing his performance with team members. "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."

The lengths that Krishna bowled during the Headingley Test were notably shorter than ideal. On a pitch known to favor bowlers who hit the good length area (6-8 meters), he bowled 104 of his 211 balls short of this mark. Although he took three of his five wickets with this strategy, he also conceded runs at a rate of 7.54 when bowling short. Krishna attributed this to his hesitation 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 added, "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."

With Jasprit Bumrah set to miss at least two of the remaining four Tests as part of a workload management strategy, Krishna will face increased pressure to perform effectively, 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 responsibilities, Krishna is also expected to contribute more with the bat, especially after India's batting collapses at Headingley. The lower-order batsmen have been working hard in the nets, and Krishna recognizes the importance of valuing 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."