Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik shared that pacer Prasidh Krishna admitted feeling extremely nervous at the start of Day 5 during the final Test at The Oval. According to Karthik, Prasidh confessed that his legs “weren’t moving” in his initial two overs and he only began to settle down once Mohammed Siraj dismissed Jamie Smith.
India secured a thrilling six-run win over England on Monday, August 4, in the last Test of the series. Chasing 374, England resumed Day 5 at 339/6 but were eventually bowled out for 367. Siraj took three of the last four wickets, while Prasidh claimed one.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik gave a glimpse into the intense pressure Prasidh faced that morning, recalling a candid post-match conversation between the two.
“I went to Prasidh and asked, ‘how did you feel? Were you tired? He said, ‘DK bhai, first two overs my legs weren’t moving. When Siraj got Jamie Smith’s wicket, my legs were up and running. I just felt good and I said [to the captain], just give me the ball. I’ll keep bowling however long you want’.”
Dinesh Karthik praised Prasidh Krishna for keeping his composure and dismissing Josh Tongue with a brilliant delivery, acknowledging the pressure he faced as a young international pacer on Day 5.
“You can feel it – how much he has bowled. For him to come back and bowl on Day 5, it was hard. If the game had gone on yesterday [Monday], it would have gotten over. But, they had to come back.”
Dinesh Karthik Hails Siraj’s Passion For Test Cricket
Although Prasidh showed signs of nervousness on Day 5 at The Oval, Mohammed Siraj was mentally ready to lead India to victory. With Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Believe’ quote set as his phone wallpaper, Siraj embodied that mindset and delivered exactly what was expected from the team’s frontline pacer.
Praising his approach and performance, Dinesh Karthik remarked:
“He is an absolute diamond. He is a man who lives and breathes Test cricket. And He loves white-ball cricket, he is very good at it. But, he just loves the Test format. Five Test matches, five days…”
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