On August 1, 2025, Prasidh Krishna emerged as the cornerstone of India’s bowling attack on Day 2 of the 5th Test against England at The Oval, delivering a masterful performance that saw him claim four wickets for 62 runs. His efforts were pivotal in restricting England to a modest 247 in their first innings, handing India a 52-run lead with eight wickets in hand by the close of play. Krishna’s spell was a blend of skillful fast bowling and strategic aggression, most notably in a fiery verbal exchange with England’s star batsman Joe Root, which became a defining moment of the day.
Prasidh Krishna’s impact was immediate and significant. His first breakthrough came when he dismissed England’s in-form opener Zak Crawley for 79. Crawley, who had looked set for a big score, misjudged a pull shot off Krishna’s rising delivery, providing India with a crucial wicket that shifted the momentum. The dismissal, which came when England were comfortably placed at 129 for 2, marked the beginning of their slide, as Krishna, alongside Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj, capitalized on the cloudy conditions in the afternoon session to tighten the screws on England’s batting lineup.
The most talked-about moment of Prasidh Krishna’s spell was his verbal duel with Joe Root, a calculated move by the Indian team to unsettle one of England’s most reliable batsmen. Root, yet to get off the mark, played and missed a wobble-seam delivery from Prasidh Krishna, who then directed a few words at him—reportedly, “You are looking in great shape” The comment provoked an uncharacteristically animated response from Root, leading to a heated exchange that required umpire Kumar Dharmasena to intervene.
Prasidh Krishna later reflected, “That was the plan, but I didn’t expect the couple of words I said to get such a big reaction from him. I love the guy; he’s a legend of the game. It’s just when two people are out there wanting to be a winner”. The incident appeared to rattle Root, who was eventually dismissed lbw for 29 by Mohammed Siraj, but Krishna’s pressure in the preceding overs played a significant role in his downfall.
England’s assistant coach Marcus Trescothick acknowledged India’s tactic, noting, “They made a comment, they tried to get after him and spark him up a bit. India tried a different approach, and Joe bit back” Trescothick added that Root, who typically laughs off such provocations, chose to respond differently, highlighting the competitive edge of the series. This exchange underscored Krishna’s ability to not only bowl effectively but also use psychological tactics to disrupt England’s key players.
Prasidh Krishna creates havoc
Prasidh Krishna’s figures of 4 for 62 were a testament to his skill and adaptability. Prasidh Krishna varied his lengths expertly, using the seam movement offered by the pitch to keep England’s batsmen on edge. His ability to maintain pressure was evident in the middle session, where England lost wickets at regular intervals, unable to build substantial partnerships after Crawley’s departure. Prasidh Krishna’s spell, combined with the efforts of Deep and Siraj, ensured that England’s scoring rate was stifled, particularly as the weather shifted from sunny to overcast, aiding the seamers.
Prasidh Krishna’s performance was not just about the wickets he took directly but also about the pressure he created, which led to wickets for his fellow bowlers. His dismissal of Crawley and the psychological edge he gained over Root were pivotal in breaking England’s batting backbone. Root, England’s highest run-scorer in the series, has often been the linchpin of their batting, and his early dismissal prevented England from posting a more formidable total.
Prasidh Krishna’s performance on Day 2 was a masterclass in fast bowling, blending skill, strategy, and psychological warfare. His four-wicket haul, coupled with the unsettling of Root, has given India a significant advantage, setting the stage for an enthralling continuation of this high-stakes Test match.
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