India pacer Krishna’s childhood coach P Srinivasa Murthy says his ward perfectly complemented senior speedster in final Test against England at the Oval in London
India’s Prasidh Krishna celebrates taking the wicket of England’s Josh Tongue at the Oval in London on Monday. Pic/PTI
India pacer Prasidh Krishna’s childhood coach P Srinivasa Murthy lavished praise on his ward’s match-winning bowling partnership with speedster Mohammed Siraj during India’s six-run win over England in the fifth Test at the Oval on Monday.
Eight-wicket haul
Krishna claimed eight wickets (4-62 and 4-126) in the series-defining final Test where Siraj had a nine-wicket match haul (4-86 and 5-104) as Team India levelled the series 2-2. Siraj emerged highest wicket-taker of the series with 23 scalps, while Krishna, and Jasprit Bumrah, both of whom played three Tests, had 14 wickets each.
Prasidh Krishna’s childhood coach P Srinivasa Murthy
“Prasidh complemented Siraj brilliantly in this Test. Siraj alone couldn’t have won this match. Just like batting partnerships, bowling partnerships are crucial too, and both Siraj and Prasidh shouldered that responsibility perfectly,” Murthy told mid-day on Monday.
Murthy, 52, who coached Krishna in his teenage years at Carmel High School in Bengaluru, wants the pacer to emulate Bumrah. Murthy said: “Prasidh should stay rooted and focus on improving in every game. He has to be fit enough to play in all formats. He should become just like Bumrah. Bumrah is wanted in every format. That should be his benchmark, aim.”
Poor start, fine finish
Murthy felt Krishna did not begin the series well, but finished it perfectly.
“To be honest, from the first Test of this series to the last Test, I have seen a drastic improvement in Prasidh’s line and length. He became more controlled. In the first two Tests [at Leeds he claimed 3-128 and 2-92 and in Birmingham 1-39 in the second innings] he was not up to the mark which is why he lost his place in the playing XI. But then he worked on his bowling and has come back strongly. This shows his fine character.”
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
