Following India's five-wicket defeat against England in the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, India seamer Prasidh Krishna has stepped forward to take "complete responsibility" for his performance. The bowler conceded 220 runs in the match, a performance that has drawn criticism from former players.
Krishna acknowledged his failure to bowl the right lengths, particularly in the first innings, where he felt he was too short. He stated that he struggled to adjust to the slope on the ground and admitted that, as a professional, he should have adapted more quickly. In the first innings, Krishna gave away 128 runs in 20 overs at an economy of 6.40. Although he managed to pick up wickets of Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, and Jamie Smith, his high economy rate was a concern. In the second innings, he took the wickets of Zak Crawley and Pope again, but his economy remained high at 6.10, conceding 92 runs in 15 overs. Overall, Krishna's economy rate of 6.28 was the fourth-worst among bowlers who have conceded over 200 runs in a Test innings.
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan expressed his dissatisfaction with Krishna's economy rate, noting that it was comparable to Jasprit Bumrah's T20 economy. Pathan urged Krishna to develop adaptability and consistency, leveraging his height and pace to succeed in the Test format. Saba Karim, another former Indian cricketer, echoed Pathan's sentiments, emphasizing the need for Krishna to improve his consistency in landing the ball in the right areas.
The pressure is mounting on the Indian team following their loss, with questions arising about team selection and strategy. India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, had previously hinted at the possibility of changes in the squad. With Jasprit Bumrah potentially missing the second Test to manage his workload, the Indian pace attack appears to be heavily reliant on Bumrah.
The loss at Headingley exposed several areas of concern for India. Dropped catches and batting collapses cost the team dearly. Shubman Gill, in his first Test as captain, saw his inexperience highlighted, with critics pointing out a lack of proactivity. The absence of a seam-bowling all-rounder who can contribute with the bat was also noted as a factor that hurt India, especially when compared to their spin-bowling all-rounders at home.
Despite scoring five centuries in the match, India became the first team in Test history to lose after such a feat. The top order performed well, but the lower order collapsed in both innings, failing to capitalize on strong positions. This collapse, combined with fielding lapses, allowed England to chase down a target of 371.
Looking ahead to the second Test at Edgbaston, there are suggestions for changes in the bowling lineup. Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep are potential replacements for Bumrah and Krishna. Some experts have also suggested Kuldeep Yadav could be brought in to exploit England's vulnerability against wrist spin. Former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has urged Mohammed Siraj to take on a more responsible role by controlling the runs and building pressure.
While Krishna's performance in this Test was below par, some believe he should not be written off completely. His domestic and IPL performances suggest he has the potential to succeed in the long run. However, the immediate need for performance in the World Test Championship means India might opt for bowlers like Mukesh Kumar or Anshul Kamboj, known for their consistency.
