Prasidh Krishna's 5-23 best ODI figures at Chennai in India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Prasidh Krishna claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in One-Day Internationals, finishing with figures of 5-23 to bowl Afghanistan out for 218 in the 3rd ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, 20 June. The performance also set a new record for the best bowling figures by any bowler in ODIs at the Chepauk venue.
A Spell That Dismantled Afghanistan Early
Prasidh's new-ball burst was devastating from the outset, combining swing, seam movement, and extra bounce to reduce Afghanistan to 36/4 within the first ten overs. The right-arm pacer systematically worked through the top order, becoming only the third Indian bowler — after Manoj Prabhakar and Mohammed Shami — to dismiss each of the opposition's top five batters in a single ODI innings.
Shahidi and Omarzai Stage a Fightback
Afghanistan's middle order refused to capitulate without resistance. Hashmatullah Shahidi anchored a recovery with a composed 102, while Azmatullah Omarzai contributed 50 as the pair added a 105-run partnership to drag their side back into contention. However, Prasidh returned to dismiss Shahidi and trigger a dramatic collapse — Afghanistan's last five wickets fell for just 20 runs, leaving the total at a below-par 218.
Record Books Rewritten at Chepauk
Prasidh's 5-23 surpassed the previous best ODI bowling figures at Chennai — West Indies pacer Ravi Rampaul's 5-51 set in 2011 — to etch his name in the ground's history. The milestone adds to a growing list of landmark performances at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, a venue known for its spin-friendly reputation but one that evidently rewarded Prasidh's pace and precision on the day.
What Prasidh Said After the Spell
Speaking in a mid-innings chat with broadcasters, Prasidh was candid about both his joy and his fatigue. 'I've got it in my pocket right now, but really happy to be coming in on a hot day, bowling that well, helping the team, so pretty happy now,' he said. He also acknowledged the role of bowling coach Morne Morkel in refining his lengths across formats: 'Definitely Morne's really has been in my ears for quite some time now, and I'm happy to be bowling well today.' On the gruelling conditions, he admitted, 'No, honestly, I was really, really tired. It was pretty hot, but no complaints.'
The Bigger Picture for Indian Pace Bowling
Prasidh's breakthrough haul underlines the depth India are building in their pace attack ahead of a packed international calendar. His ability to extract movement and bounce on a traditionally batting-friendly surface in Chennai signals a maturation in his craft. This comes amid India's broader push to develop multi-format fast bowlers capable of performing in varied conditions — a priority that Morkel's appointment as bowling coach was specifically intended to address.