In a pivotal moment during the Boxing Day Test between India and South Africa at Centurion, the spotlight turned to debutant Prasidh Krishna. Facing the challenge of securing the final wicket, Prasidh’s over to Marco Jansen on Day 3 became a critical juncture, marked by three deliveries down the leg side.
Former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock, providing commentary, didn’t hold back in expressing his disappointment. He particularly highlighted India captain Rohit Sharma’s visible frustration in the slips, gesturing with hands on hips, as if questioning whether Prasidh had absorbed the team’s strategies.
Despite the less-than-ideal over, India managed to dismiss South Africa for 408, with Jasprit Bumrah making the final breakthrough. Bumrah’s exceptional performance, securing four wickets for 69 runs, stood out in an otherwise challenging bowling display by the Indian team.
Prasidh Krishna’s debut, however, was far from memorable. Conceding 93 runs in his 20 overs for just a single wicket, the Karnataka pacer struggled with line and length. The selection decision between Prasidh and Mukesh Kumar, prompted by Mohammed Shami’s injury, now faces scrutiny as Prasidh’s inexperience with the red ball became evident on Days 2 and 3.
Rohit Sharma, quick to sense the situation, promptly withdrew Prasidh from the attack and introduced Mohammed Siraj. This decisive move underscored the captain’s dissatisfaction with the debutant’s performance. The disappointment in Prasidh’s debut serves as a challenge for the Indian team, especially with the tough battles that lie ahead in the two-match series.
As the series unfolds, India will need to regroup and address the bowling challenges to stay competitive against a resilient South African side.
