Prasidh Krishna has been slammed by few former players after he leaked more than 200 runs in the series-opener against England at Leeds, which India lost by five wickets.
Beleaguered India seamer Prasidh Krishna has taken "complete responsibility" for his failure to hit the right lengths during a forgettable outing in the first Test against England, but said he was always trying to make it difficult for the English batters to score freely.
Prasidh has been slammed by few former players after he leaked more than 200 runs in the series-opener at Leeds, which India lost by five wickets.
"If I look at the first innings, I was a little too short than where I wanted to be, 6-8 is ideal. Second innings it got slightly better, because again, the wicket was slightly slower. I had to pitch a few slightly behind 8, and go slightly fuller, when I'm trying to get a wicket.
"I definitely did not bowl the lengths that I wanted to. It took me some time to get used to the slope on that side. No excuses, but I should be able to do it as a professional. I take complete responsibility for it, and maybe, will do it better next time," Prasidh said at a press conference.
In the first innings, Prasidh gave away 128 runs in 20 overs at an economy of 6.40, one of the worst figures by an Indian bowler bowling a minimum of 20 overs in an innings. However, he got the wickets of Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, and Jamie Smith.
In the second innings, Prasidh brought India back into the game with the wickets of Zak Crawley and Pope in quick succession but his economy rate was again above six (6.10), conceding 92 runs in 15 overs.
"Every time I come out to bowl, I was definitely looking to bowl a maiden. I'm not really trying to give away boundaries or anything. The outfield was fast. The lengths and lines that I bowled was not perfect, to be honest, at most times. And they took me on. Some of them were edges.
"I tried bowling bouncers but ended up giving runs. But definitely, every time I come out to bowl, I was looking to keep the economy rate down and build the pressure," Prasidh said.
The wind factor and rain
Wind was another big factor at Headingley, and it was often extremely blustery and cold, making life difficult for the players in the middle.
"You are trying to run in hard. The wind sometimes is on and off. So, it is very important to understand what the pace of the run-up is.
"And I did have a chat with a couple of other guys as well, asking them what they did to get the right pace, when they ran in to bowl. So, that is about it."
The occasional rain and the drizzle also didn't help.
"Every time the ball hit the ground, it became wet. And when the ball becomes wet, it is going to be softer. The shine won't be there. So, I think that did play a part.
"If there are clouds, there is going to be swing. If there is sun, it won't swing at all. So, that is what we are looking to do, making sure we bowl the right areas. The gripping, I wouldn't say it was a problem.
"It just got softer. And the moment it got softer, the seam got softer, the amount of purchase you get from the pitch differs."
Positive dressing room
The 29-year-old seamer said the Indian dressing room remains very positive despite losing a match they could have won.
"Yeah, the dressing room is still nice and happy and very, very motivated. Like I said, we came here knowing what this opportunity meant for all of us.
He said India did not give up till the very end.
"You know, as a bowling unit, we still ended up taking the new ball when they needed about 20 runs, with the hope that something's going to happen.
"So, we were still there believing. We made sure till the last run is scored, we will be out there and making sure they work hard for it."
While he was criticised for his expensive figures by some former players, Prasidh received backing from head coach Gautam Gambhir.
"It's my responsibility to get better and that's what I'm trying to do, that's what I am working on, and I just want to make sure I put in the right kind of work, come back here, and put up better numbers."
© 2025