India’s grit and determination to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have been on full display in the Sydney Test. Despite a modest lead and challenging pitch conditions, pacer Prasidh Krishna believes India remains in the hunt. His insights into the game reflect the team’s readiness to leverage every advantage the unpredictable SCG track offers. As the second day concluded, India stood at 141 for six with an overall lead of 145 runs. While the lead isn’t overwhelming, the conditions at the SCG have injected unpredictability into the match, keeping both teams on edge.
Variable Bounce at SCG
The SCG pitch has been a mixed bag, offering variable bounce that makes batting increasingly tricky. According to Prasidh Krishna, this unpredictability could work in India’s favor as the bowlers aim to exploit inconsistencies and force errors from the Australian batters.
“It is getting difficult in some areas. The ball is keeping low sometimes but there is enough bounce for us to be in the game and look for those edges. Try and beat them on either side of the bat,” Prasidh said during the media interaction.
Prasidh Krishna’s Role in the Match
Prasidh’s performance has been pivotal in keeping India competitive. His dismissal of Steve Smith in the first innings was a game-changing moment, underlining his ability to deliver under pressure.
Reflecting on his early spell, Prasidh admitted to missing his lengths, either bowling too full or too short. However, a review session with the team analyst helped him refine his approach, leading to better execution in subsequent overs.
Karnataka speedster added, “There is no particular number in mind but then as many runs as we score would be great. We are ready to bowl them out for whatever. The difference was when I got back from lunch, I actually looked at where I was bowling. I sat with the analyst and we had a better idea of what my reference point is. When I came in to bowl next, that really helped.”
The Importance of Bowling Plans
Prasidh credits bowling coach Morne Morkel for his improved performance. Their collaborative planning sessions provided him with clarity and confidence, enabling him to adjust his strategy for the SCG conditions.
Krishna further added, “Morne and myself, we kind of have a lot of discussions about what has to be done and things are going well for now.”
Learning from Australia A Matches
Arriving early in Australia to play for India A proved invaluable for Prasidh. Bowling at the MCG and other Australian venues helped him adapt to local conditions and gain much-needed confidence ahead of the Test series. Unlike the SG Test ball used in India, the Kookaburra ball has a less pronounced seam and demands greater consistency in line and length. Prasidh’s ability to adapt to these nuances has been crucial to his success in Australian conditions.
Krishna concluded, “That was a really good learning curve for me because every time I played for my state I was bowling with a new ball, coming here having to bowl one change, I looked at what everybody in the world does when they are bowling one change. It was about try and give control to the team, have as much control and be consistent in the lines and the lengths that you are bowling. So I think that is the mental shift that I made and obviously I had to put in some work to try and get myself to that point.”
Prasidh’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks. After undergoing back surgery in New Zealand, the road to recovery was long and arduous. However, his determination and the support of teammates and coaches played a vital role in his comeback. From discussions with Morne Morkel to encouragement from fellow players, Prasidh found the support he needed to bounce back stronger. His resilience is a testament to his commitment to the game.
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