Prasidh Krishna was on fire as India rocked Australia A with two consecutive knocks during the second unofficial Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The tall fast bowler from Karnataka bowled the first of the innings.
The first ball was a full toss that resulted in a run, but Krishna was on the money from the second ball. He hit a full ball to left-hander Marcus Harris outside the off stump from around the wicket.
Harris tried to clear the ball away but instead gave keeper Dhruv Jurel an inside edge. The left-handed opener was dismissed for a golden duck after a fine half-century in the first innings of the match.
Krishna didn’t stop there and hit a toe crushing yorker on the next ball. Facing the first out of the match, Cameron Bancroft took an absolute peach from the lanky fast bowler who landed straight on the toes.
Bancroft was initially unprepared to face such a ball and was overbalanced, thus being beaten on the inside edge. Prasidh Krishna addressed the celebrities as the judge raised his finger without hesitation.
Watch: Prasidh Krishna rocks Australia A with two consecutive wickets
Marcus Harris 🦆
Cameron Bancroft 🦆Prasidh Krishna removes two Test contenders in consecutive balls in the first innings #AUSAvINDA pic.twitter.com/5bOOhC7Fqj
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 9, 2024
Both opening contenders were sent off cheaply
Both Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft are contenders for an opening spot in Australia’s squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But Prasidh Krishna was too good for them.
Prasid’s double strikes in the first three balls of the match gave India the perfect start. Chasing 168 to win, Australia A faced a double blow in the first game.
Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas put on a good partnership for the third wicket before Mukesh Kumar removed McSweeney for 25. Australia A currently leads the two-match series 1-0.
Krishna also did well in the first innings. The 28-year-old took four wickets to help India A restrict them to 223 in the first innings. Krishna also had a good time with the bat as he scored 29 and 14 in two innings.
Prasidh Krishna’s form bodes well for India
Krishna is also in India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The right arm fast bowler has a great chance to break into the Playing XI after his recent performances. He batted with good pace and troubled the batsmen with his height, bounced well off the surface.
With India struggling a bit in the fast bowling department, Prasidh Krishna will surely be in contention for the upcoming five-match Test series. He has played two Tests so far, both in South Africa. Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, India lacks other aspects of fast bowling.
Mohammed Siraj is currently struggling with his form and rhythm while Akash Deep is inexperienced for Australian conditions. India should have all the fast bowlers in good form for a long series.
