India announced their 15-member squad for the much-awaited home Test series against South Africa on November 5. The two-match series, beginning on November 14, will be crucial in their journey to secure a top-two finish in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.
While most of the selections in the batting and spin units were along predictable lines, the fast-bowling choices sparked debate, especially due to the absence of right-arm pacer Prasidh Krishna. He was replaced by Akash Deep, who last featured against the West Indies. With India set to face the reigning World Test champions, the decision to drop Prasidh has raised concerns.
#1 A Missing X-Factor In The Pace Attack
Prasidh Krishna brings a quality that separates him from the rest of India’s current seamers. He relies heavily on steep bounce and sharp pace, something that becomes vital when the ball gets older and the surface flattens out. In contrast, the three seamers selected – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep – are largely new-ball specialists.
While Bumrah can adapt across phases, Siraj and Akash Deep have struggled at times when operating with the old ball. If India field three pacers at any point during the series, the lack of variation could become a tactical drawback.
Even the backup option, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, depends more on movement than bounce. A recent example was the Lord’s Test in England, where India played Siraj, Bumrah, and Akash Deep together, and Akash returned forgettable figures of 1/122. Prasidh’s style would have added the much-needed diversity that the current attack lacks.
#2 Match-Winner In His Last Test Appearance
Prasidh’s exclusion becomes more questionable considering the impact he had in his most recent Test outing. In the final Test of the England series, with India trailing 1-2, he produced an outstanding eight-wicket performance across both innings. His crucial breakthroughs, including dismissals of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Joe Root, turned the match in India’s favour.
England were cruising in the fourth innings before Prasidh’s double strike sparked a collapse, helping India clinch a narrow six-run win and level the series 2-2. Without his efforts, India would likely have lost the series 1-3. A bowler who delivers in high-pressure, series-deciding moments deserved at least a place in the squad, if not the playing XI.
#3 Earned The Right To Stay Ahead In The Pecking Order
The final pace bowler slot seemed to be a direct contest between Prasidh and Akash Deep, and going by hierarchy, Prasidh should have remained ahead. In the Oval Test, where both last played, Prasidh dominated with eight wickets, while Akash managed just two wickets for 165 runs.
Prasidh was also part of the squad against the West Indies, yet has now been dropped without playing a game, raising questions about consistency in selection. If recent performance and order of preference truly mattered, Prasidh Krishna should have been selected over Akash Deep.
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