Prasidh Krishna Aims to Sharpen Bowling Attack, Vows to Improve Economy and Length After Headingley Setback

Prasidh Krishna is determined to improve his bowling lengths and economy rate after identifying them as areas of concern in his Test career. With just four Tests under his belt, the bowler is already focused on addressing his economy rate of 5.07, a figure he considers too high after 90 overs in the format.

Prasidh Krishna aims to bounce back after costly spell © Getty

Addressing Concerns After Headingley Defeat

The economy rate became a significant issue during the Headingley Test defeat, where Krishna conceded 6.28 runs per over and Shardul Thakur 5.56. As change bowlers, neither managed to maintain sufficient pressure, exacerbating India's struggles once Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj completed their spells.

Krishna acknowledged the need to improve, stating, "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. The outfield [at Headingley] was fast, the lengths, lines that I bowled were not perfect to be honest at most times, and they took me on."

Commitment to Wickets and Economy

Despite the challenges, Krishna remains committed to 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."

He further added, "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."

Analyzing Lengths and Adjustments

Krishna also reflected on his lengths, noting that he bowled a significant number of balls short of a good length during the Test. While this approach earned him three wickets, it also resulted in a high concession rate of 7.54.

"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."

He admitted, "So yeah, I definitely did not bowl the lengths that I wanted... not wanting to float it up there is definitely one of the reasons, and also, it honestly took me some time to get used to the slope... but I take complete responsibility about it, and maybe I'll do it better next time."

Increased Responsibility

With Jasprit Bumrah expected to miss at least two of the remaining Tests due to workload management, Krishna is poised to take on greater responsibility in both attack and defence.

He acknowledged the team's collaborative environment, stating, "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."

Focus on Batting Contribution

Beyond his bowling duties, Krishna is also expected to contribute more with the bat, particularly after India's batting collapses at Headingley. The lower-order batsmen have been diligently working in the nets to improve their resilience.

"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."