Will Prasidh Krishna Ever Forget His Unforgettable England Tour?

New Delhi, Sep 2 (NationPress) Prasidh Krishna reflects on India's thrilling 2-2 stalemate in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, declaring it one of the most gripping events of his career. The fast bowler shared insights into the physical demands, emotional highs, and behind-the-scenes moments that made his summer in England truly remarkable.

The 28-year-old excelled in the decisive Test at The Oval, where he delivered an impressive 43 overs, achieving match figures of 8 for 188, contributing to a narrow six-run victory. Recalling the experience, Prasidh mentioned that the intense workload left him feeling exhausted.

"Physically, it was a huge challenge for me," he stated. "It took about a week to fully recover. After that, I played a few matches in the Maharaja Trophy, which felt great as I reconnected with my teammates and shared moments with the younger players, reigniting my passion for cricket again," Prasidh told ESPNCricinfo.

Prior to resuming training in Bengaluru, Prasidh took some necessary time off. "I allowed myself a week to ten days of rest after the England series," he explained. "Even during my break – hiking and enjoying nature – I could still feel the strains on my body. I was sore from that last Test at The Oval and felt the fatigue from my vacation activities. On the fourth day, I decided to take it easy. I let my wife continue her hiking trip while I stayed back to recover a bit more."

At The Oval, Prasidh played a pivotal role in India’s nail-biting final-day win. England seemed set to chase 374 runs before he made two critical breakthroughs late on the fourth evening. Reflecting on the tense conclusion, he remarked: "The first ball I bowled was intended to be a bouncer. Although it went for a boundary, it helped me gauge the pitch conditions. The second delivery was an inside edge. Despite conceding eight runs off the first two balls, I remained composed, focusing on hitting the right area and length, allowing the ball to do the work."

He credited Mohammed Siraj for the pressure he applied from the other end. "Siraj began brilliantly. The ball was swinging – not as much for me initially, but it was for him. I had to refocus and think about how to adjust my line and length," he noted.

Prasidh identified the dismissal of Jamie Smith as the turning point. "Getting Jamie Smith out changed everything. After that, it was a matter of maintaining consistency in our bowling areas, and the wickets began to fall," he stated.

When the final wicket fell, India erupted in celebration. "It was a massive relief," Prasidh recalled. "The joy, the cheering, the celebrations after that last wicket – it was all about relief. We had all invested so much as a team – every single player showed remarkable mental strength and physical effort to emerge victorious from that challenging situation."

The emotions were overwhelming for him. "Watching the game now doesn’t compare – being there, the atmosphere was electric, and the joy was immense. That’s a moment that will remain with me forever. I doubt I’ll ever experience anything quite like it from the sidelines."

There was also an incident with Joe Root earlier in the Test, which Prasidh clarified after India's win. "I’m not sure why Root reacted the way he did," he laughed. "I simply said, ‘You’re looking in great shape,’ and it escalated into a lot of banter. I went on to discuss it with several players, including Root himself. He mentioned, ‘I thought you insulted me.’ I replied, ‘No, I was just trying to motivate myself as well.’"

For Prasidh, that exchange epitomized the spirit of competition. "That’s what I cherish about this sport – I’ve always played it this way. Witnessing everyone, especially a legend like Root, giving their all for the team – that’s a lesson for everyone. You’re out there to fight and win battles. Sometimes, it requires more than just skill; it demands mental fortitude to navigate that journey."

Reflecting on the five-match series, Prasidh likened it to a thrilling drama series. "None of us anticipated the series to unfold like this," he remarked. "It kept fluctuating, and in hindsight, we’re satisfied with how we played throughout the series."