India’s fast bowling options just took a hit with the news of Prasidh Krishna injury during the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024 match. The 27-year-old paceman, who featured in the recent Test series against South Africa, suffered a left quadriceps injury while bowling for Karnataka against Gujarat. This unfortunate setback has ruled him out of the first two crucial Tests against England.
While the official reason for Prasidh Krishna exclusion remains unclear, the timing of his injury couldn’t be worse. With Mohammed Shami already sidelined due to injury India’s pace attack was looking thin heading into the England series. Krishna’s absence further weakens the lineup, leaving Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Avesh Khan to shoulder the responsibility.
Despite his underwhelming performance in the South Africa series, where he managed just two wickets in two Tests, Krishna was seen as a potential trump card against England. His tall frame and ability to generate steep bounce can be particularly effective on Indian pitches. His absence therefore creates a significant void in India’s bowling plans.
The quadriceps injury, a common setback for fast bowlers, typically takes 4-6 weeks to heal, depending on its severity. This means Prasidh Krishna is unlikely to be available for even the third Test against England, unless his recovery progresses remarkably fast.
Avesh Khan replaces Prasidh Krishna
On the brighter side, Prasidh Krishna’s injury offers an opportunity for other young pacers like Avesh Khan to step up and prove their worth. However, replacing the experience and skill of a player like Krishna will be no easy feat, and his absence undoubtedly puts extra pressure on the remaining bowlers.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did not specify whether Krishna was dropped from the squad or excluded due to the injury. Currently under the care of the Karnataka team physio, Krishna, being a BCCI-contracted player, also has the option to join India ‘A’ support staff present in Ahmedabad for a two-day match against England Lions.
As India gears up for the highly anticipated England series, Prasidh Krishna’s injury casts a shadow of doubt over their bowling strength. While the team still boasts talented players, navigating the tough English batting lineup without their lanky fast bowler will be a daunting challenge. The first two Tests are now even more crucial for India, as they aim to establish a strong footing without their injured bowling spearhead.
India squad for first 2 Tests vs England: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan.
