As the Indian cricket team prepares for the crucial Boxing Day Test against Australia, questions are being raised about the team’s pace attack. With Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge, Mohammed Siraj, India’s all-format workhorse, may need a much-deserved rest, making way for Karnataka pacer Prasidh Krishna to step into the playing XI.
Why Prasidh Krishna deserves a chance:
- Australian conditions:
- Krishna has been acclimatizing to Australian pitches for nearly two months and played for India A against Australia A before the series, taking 10 wickets in two games, including a stellar 4/50 in Melbourne.
- His height advantage (6’2”) and ability to extract bounce make him a natural fit for Down Under conditions, potentially troubling Australian batters more effectively.
- Bench strength:
- Siraj has been a key player for India across formats, participating in consecutive series since the Bangladesh and New Zealand tours. Resting him now could ensure his fitness for future matches, including the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
- With Krishna having pivoted towards red-ball cricket in 2024 through the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and Irani Cup, he is well-prepared for Test-level challenges.
Potential impact on the team:
Pairing Krishna with Bumrah and another pacer like Akash Deep or Harshit Rana could provide India with a balanced attack. Krishna’s ability to exploit Australian conditions with his pace and bounce complements Bumrah’s precision and experience.