“India can always look at Prasidh Krishna”- Former India spinner reckons pacer can be good support to Jasprit Bumrah in BGT 2024-25
Former Indian spinner Sunil Joshi feels the management could look to pacer Prasidh Krishna as a solid support option for Jasprit Bumrah for the remainder of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India and Australia have won a game each to leave the five-match Test series hanging in the balance at 1-1.
The visitors have been heavily reliant on Jasprit Bumrah, who is the series' leading wicket-taker with 12 wickets at an average of 11.25. However, the ace pacer suffered a niggle during the second Test in Adelaide, causing major worries among the Indian fans.
While he is fit and ready to start in the crucial third Test, Bumrah's workload remains a concern for the rest of the series.
Elaborating on the same in an interview with TOI, Joshi said:
"Moving forward, my only concern would be Jasprit Bumrah's fitness because we saw him having a niggle in the Adelaide Test. Given that scenario, it's important how well the Indian think tank is going to utilise Jasprit Bumrah for the remaining Test matches. India can always look at Prasidh Krishna who is a very good fast bowler and tall as well, and he played the Duleep Trophy matches with full fitness. So that's an option."
Prasidh has played only two Tests for India - both in their tour of South Africa earlier this year.
However, the 28-year-old impressed in the two Australia A games before the Test series, picking 10 wickets at an average of 17.30.
"Ashwin could be a key factor in Gabba" - Sunil Joshi
Sunil Joshi backed veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to play the Brisbane Test ahead of the other spin-bowling options Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja.
The 38-year-old missed the opening Test with India going with the in-form Sundar as the lone spinner. However, Ashwin returned for the Adelaide outing and picked up figures of 1/53 in his 18 overs.
"Although Ashwin didn't bowl much in the pink-ball Test, he bowled well. Moving forward, Ashwin could be a key factor in Gabba because of the bounce and his height. Again, nothing to take away from Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja. It depends on what combination the team and the think tank want," said Joshi.
He added:
"I am sure Gautam (Gambhir) and his team would look into it. But given a choice, I would go with Ashwin, because it's a big boundary, Ashwin has more experience and better variety. Of course, Washington has bowled very well in the last few series. But given the scenario, mental toughness and everything, I would go with Ashwin."
Ashwin has played only the lone Test at Brisbane in 2014 and endured dismal figures of 2/128 in 33.4 overs.
Meanwhile, Sundar was India's best spinner in the recent home series defeat to New Zealand. The youngster also played a massive role in India's famous Brisbane win in 2020-21 with four wickets across the two innings and a first-innings half-century with the bat.
The all-important Brisbane Test between India and Australia starts tomorrow, December 14.