Prasidh Krishna Vows to Cut Run Rate, Improve Length After Costly Outing

Prasidh Krishna, with four Test matches under his belt, is already addressing a key area for improvement: his economy rate. After conceding runs at an economy rate of 5.07 in 90 overs, Krishna is determined to tighten his bowling and become more economical.

Prasidh Krishna seeks to improve after a costly performance in Leeds © Getty

His economy became a significant concern during the Headingley Test, where he conceded 6.28 runs per over, while Shardul Thakur went for 5.56. As the change bowlers, neither could maintain the pressure built by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj during their spells, exacerbating India's struggles.

"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 admitted his lengths and lines at Headingley were not up to par, contributing to the high scoring rate. He acknowledged that the fast outfield also played a role, as edges and attempted bouncers resulted in runs.

Krishna emphasized the importance of taking wickets, even if it means conceding some runs. "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."

He revealed discussions with teammates regarding his economy rate and expressed his commitment to improvement. "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, and yeah, I think I'm learning as well, I can't say anything, it's up to me, it's my responsibility to get better, and that's what I'm trying, that's what I'm working on, and I just want to make sure I put in the right kind of work and come back here and put up better numbers," Krishna added.

Analyzing his lengths, Krishna noted that he bowled a significant number of deliveries (104 out of 211) short of a good length during the Test. While this approach earned him three of his five wickets, it also came at a high cost, with a concession rate of 7.54 runs per over. He attributed this to his reluctance to bowl fuller and risk being driven easily.

"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. Yeah, that's what I would say. 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 acknowledged the need to quickly learn from these experiences, particularly with Jasprit Bumrah set to miss at least two of the remaining four Tests due to workload management. This places greater responsibility on Krishna, both in terms of attacking and defensive bowling.

"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."

"At least for me, I've been part of this team for a few years now, so the conversations are still going on. One thing you cannot get is experience, that you have to do it yourself, and yeah, I think all of us are excited. If you look at the team, everybody is here, Siraj has played a lot of games, he's going to continue playing, and then whoever comes in, or whatever happens later, it's a great experience, and it's an opportunity for us to be here."

Beyond his bowling duties, Krishna is also expected to contribute more with the bat. Following India's batting collapses at Headingley, the lower-order batsmen have been working diligently in the nets. Krishna recognizes the importance of valuing his wicket and contributing valuable runs.

"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."