Prasidh Krishna Reflects on Banter with Joe Root During Test Match

During the second day of the fifth Test at The Oval, Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna engaged in an unexpected exchange of words with England captain Joe Root. While Root is known for maintaining his composure on the field, the animated dialogue between the two players caught many by surprise.

After the day’s play on March 15, 2024, Krishna addressed the incident, downplaying it as mere banter. “I think it was just a competitive edge amongst us that was coming out. Both of us are good mates off the field. It was just a little bit of banter and both of us enjoyed it,” he stated at the press conference. He acknowledged that while the exchange was part of a strategy to unsettle Root, he did not anticipate such a strong reaction from the seasoned batsman.

“Yeah, I think that was the plan,” Krishna admitted. “But I didn’t really expect a couple of words that I said to get such a big reaction from him. But like I said, I love the guy that he is. He’s a legend of the game.” This light-hearted yet competitive moment exemplified the spirit of the match and showcased the camaraderie that can exist even among rivals.

India’s Bowling Strategy Shifts Post-Lunch

The day saw India struggling initially, as the England openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, amassed 92 runs rapidly. However, the momentum shifted after lunch as the Indian bowlers regrouped and limited England to a total of 247 runs. Krishna emphasized the importance of teamwork in making this turnaround possible.

“The three fast bowlers had a little pep talk during the break and decided to bowl the right line and length to control the slide,” he explained. “We knew what happened before lunch, and we just said, every time we are on the field, we trust each other enough to speak up and guide each other back on track.” This collective effort led to a notable improvement in their performance, illustrating the value of communication and unity within the team.

Krishna reflected on the challenges posed by aggressive batting from Crawley and Duckett, stating, “It’s very hard for us to keep bowling the same areas, knowing they’re going to try to score runs. But that’s the challenge in itself.” He acknowledged that maintaining discipline in line and length is crucial, even against such determined batting styles.

Adapting to Team Dynamics Without Jasprit Bumrah

With Jasprit Bumrah absent from the match, Krishna discussed how the rest of the bowling unit adapts to the changing dynamics. “All of us as fast bowlers have spent time with each other on and off the field. We know what each one has to do when their chance comes up.” He emphasized that the understanding among bowlers remains consistent, regardless of who is available to play.

Having played the first two matches of the series and then being left out, Krishna made a strong return to the playing XI at The Oval. “I think I’ve been picked here because I can do the job that the team asked me to do,” he noted. “Not playing the last two games allowed me to go back to the drawing board and improve my skills.” Krishna expressed confidence that even marginal improvements in his performance would contribute positively to the team’s success.

As he prepares for future challenges, he remains focused on the process rather than external criticism. “For me in life, it’s not about the performance. It’s about the process that you follow when you want to play for the country,” he concluded, highlighting his commitment to continuous improvement as a professional cricketer.