Chepauk roars for Prasidh Krishna as fast bowler signs up for 2027 World Cup

Bowling in the sweltering heat of Chennai, India fast bowler Prasidh Krishna staked his claim for the 2027 ODI World Cup with a brilliant opening performance in India’s third and final ODI against Afghanistan.

The lanky fast bowler tore through Afghanistan’s top order and dismantled their batting line-up on Saturday, June 20. Krishna dismissed opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz with the very first ball of the day, delivering to Rohit Sharma at first slip. The second wicket, almost identical to the first, came in the sixth over – his third of the match.

IND vs AFG 3rd ODI: Live Updates | Scorecard

Despite temperatures soaring into the 40s in Chennai, skipper Shubman Gill stuck with the fast bowler, who struck twice more in the eighth and tenth overs of the match, leaving the Afghan batsmen in disarray.

Prasidh’s odd bounces from the surface, perfectly mastered that day, repeatedly found the outside edge and humbled the Afghan batsmen in the final ODI of the series.

Having already claimed four wickets, Krishna returned for his last spell in the 43rd over and cleaned up the Afghan innings with the wicket of centurion Hashmatullah Shahidi to keep Afghanistan alive in the match.

Shahidi’s wicket meant Prasidh claimed his first five-wicket haul in ODIs – five years after he debuted in the format as one of India’s most promising fast bowling talents.

Drinking clearly meant a lot to Krishna. He quickly took the ball, pocketed it and walked in for a mid-innings interview. With a sheepish smile on his face, Krishna said he had already carried the ball and was happy to put up some hard yards for the team in the extreme heat of Chennai.

Krishna has long been known to bowl the ball at inconsistent lengths, which has hampered his progress in the national team. The fast bowler admitted that he works closely with coach Morne Morkel, who has constantly listened to him and advised him on the lengths he should bowl across formats.

“Yes, the work has been going on for a while now. I would say we’ve worked really hard on the length everywhere, whatever format I’m playing. And it’s nice to see how things are going and definitely Morne Morkel has really been in my ears for a while now and I’m happy that I’m bowling well today,” Krishna said in an interview with a TV station.

PRASIDH KRISHNA’S BEST BOWLING Figures in ODIs

5/23 vs Afghanistan, Chennai, 2026

4/12 vs West Indies, Ahmedabad, 2022

4/54 vs England, Pune, 2021

4/66 vs South Africa, Visakhapatnam, 2025

ODI WORLD CUP CLAIM?

India were looking for Prasidh’s fast bowler profile for the upcoming ICC tournaments in South Africa and Australia. Harshit Rana and Gurnoor Brar are examples of this approach.

Prasidh Krishna, who will hit top pace, would certainly pique the interest of Ajit Agarkar and company as India build momentum heading into two ICC tournaments in SENA conditions.

If he stays fit, this performance will stand Prasidha in good stead at the selection meets in the coming months.

– The end

Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

20 Jun 2026 18:23 IST