Prasidh Krishna Vows to Improve Length, Economy After Headingley Setback

Prasidh Krishna is determined to refine his bowling performance, specifically targeting improved length control and a lower economy rate in future Test matches.

After an expensive outing in Leeds, the 29-year-old Prasidh Krishna is keen to make amends © Getty

Despite having played only four Tests, Krishna's economy rate of 5.07 across 90 overs has emerged as a key area needing attention. He acknowledged the need to address this concern, especially after the Headingley defeat where he conceded 6.28 runs per over. Shardul Thakur also struggled with an economy of 5.56 in that match.

"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 stated. He attributed his high economy in Headingley to a fast outfield and imperfect lengths. "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."

Krishna further explained 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 the bowl, I am looking to keep the economy down and build the pressure up."

Krishna emphasized his commitment to improvement, saying, "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... it's my responsibility to get better, and that's what I'm trying, that's what I'm working on."

Analyzing his lengths in the Headingley Test, Krishna revealed that he bowled a significant number of deliveries short of a good length. While this yielded three of his five wickets, it also resulted in a high economy of 7.54. He 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," Krishna explained. "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."

Krishna added, "So yeah, I definitely did not bowl the lengths that I wanted... 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... I take complete responsibility about it, and maybe I'll do it better next time."

With Jasprit Bumrah expected to miss at least two of the remaining Tests due to workload management, the onus will be on Krishna to step up and deliver both with the ball and as a more reliable lower-order batsman.

Krishna highlighted the team's collaborative environment, stating, "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."

He acknowledged the importance of experience, "One thing you cannot get is experience, that you have to do it yourself, and yeah, I think all of us are excited... it's a great experience, and it's an opportunity for us to be here."

Following India's batting collapses at Headingley, Krishna also recognized the need for lower-order contributions. "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."