Prasidh Krishna's recent performances in the ongoing Test series between India and England have come under intense scrutiny, with the right-arm pacer facing criticism from various corners. His inability to stem the flow of runs and maintain consistent lines and lengths has led to him becoming a liability for the Indian team in the eyes of some experts.
Adding to the voices of concern, former England captain Michael Atherton has publicly stated his disapproval of Krishna's inclusion in the Indian XI. During commentary on the second Test, Atherton remarked that he "wouldn't pick this gentleman, Prasidh Krishna," suggesting that he would have preferred to see Kuldeep Yadav, an attacking spinner, in the lineup. Atherton had expressed similar sentiments right after the toss, arguing that India would be better off with a genuine wicket-taker like Yadav, especially in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. He had also suggested that Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav would have been better choices as specialist bowlers instead of Krishna and Washington Sundar.
Krishna's struggles were particularly highlighted during the third day of the second Test against England at Edgbaston. England's Jamie Smith launched a brutal assault on the Indian bowlers, with Krishna bearing the brunt of the attack. Smith took a liking to Krishna's short-length deliveries, smashing him for 23 runs in a single over, which included four boundaries and a six. Krishna's five-over spell cost India a staggering 50 runs, resulting in an economy rate of 10.00, which is the most expensive spell by an Indian bowler bowling five or more overs since 2006.
This expensive spell has further compounded Krishna's woes, leading to him holding an unwanted record in Test cricket. Krishna now has the worst economy rate in Test history (minimum 500 deliveries), conceding runs at a dismal 5.26 per over. In the first Test, Krishna's economy rates of 6.40 and 6.13 across both innings had already raised concerns.
Several factors have been attributed to Krishna's struggles in Test cricket. One of the primary reasons is his lack of control over his lines and lengths. Throughout the series against England, he has appeared wayward, allowing the English batsmen to take advantage of his inconsistency. Furthermore, there are instances where he seems to be trying too hard, which ultimately works against him in the red-ball format.
Despite the criticism and setbacks, Krishna has taken responsibility for his performances and expressed his determination to improve. Following the first Test, where he conceded 128 runs in the first innings and 92 in the second, Krishna acknowledged that he "did not bowl the lengths that I wanted to" and that it took him time to adjust to the slope. He stated, "I take complete responsibility about it and maybe do it better next time".
While Krishna's recent performances have been disappointing, it is important to note that he has had a promising career. He made his ODI debut for India in 2021 against England, making an immediate impact with figures of 4 for 54. In domestic cricket, he has also shown glimpses of his potential, taking a ten-wicket haul against Jammu and Kashmir in the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy. Former England captain Eoin Morgan even lauded Krishna's bowling performance in the IPL 2025, praising his discipline and impact in the middle overs.
However, his Test career has been marred by inconsistency and an inability to replicate his success in other formats. With the competition for places in the Indian team being fierce, Krishna will need to address his shortcomings and produce consistent performances if he wants to cement his place in the side.
