Former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar has showered praise on Prasidh Krishna after the visitors clinched a thrilling six-run win against England in the fifth Test match at the Kennington Oval. Bangar said Krishna has to be one of the top bowlers in overseas conditions.
Krishna was dropped in third and four Test matches after he could not deliver the goods in the first two games and he was also expensive. However, the lanky pacer from Karnataka bounced back strongly in the fifth and final Test of the series.
Krishna took a total of 14 wickets in three Test matches at an average of 37.07. The fast bowler returned with figures of 4-62 in the first innings at the Oval. Subsequently, Krishna then bagged 4-126 in the second innings. The fast bowler also got the big wicket of a well-settled Joe Root in the second dig to help India get back in the contest.
Sanjay Bangar said on ESPN Cricinfo, “He has to be one of the top bowlers India would want to go ahead with overseas. He has actually repaid a lot of faith that has been put on him. Indian cricket has invested a lot in him, he hasn’t played too much of first-class cricket. So the way the previous management under Rahul Dravid showed faith in him and groomed him is critical.”
“Because after missing a couple of Test matches, he has gone back and really worked on the things he had to work on and the work was probably revolving around the various lengths he has to bowl and he bowled his normal length and he bowled the fuller length to dismiss Duckett and the yorker to dismiss Tongue as well. So overall, you could clearly sense he would have also gained tremendous confidence from the exploits at the Oval.”
On the other hand, former batting coach highlighted that the Indian team is growing in stature after drawing the series against England.
“Winning two series in Australia and even in the previous England tour, the scoreline was similar and India was the dominant side with a lead of 2-1 before unfortunately losing the last Test match to become 2-2. So similar results happening on a consistent basis means the Indian team is growing in stature, confidence and in the belief system that they can consistently win overseas and in England,” said Bangar (via the aforementioned source).
India would look to carry the good show in the upcoming home season.
