Explosive Prasidh Krishna Sparks Joe Root Row at The Oval

Indian fast bowler Prasidh Krishna dominated headlines during Day 2 of the fifth Test at The Oval. The Karnataka paceman engaged in a heated exchange with England’s Joe Root. Their confrontation required umpire intervention in front of packed crowds in London.

Fiery Exchange Forces Umpire Intervention

Prasidh Krishna delivered some choice words to Joe Root after beating his bat. The England star immediately expressed displeasure at the verbal volleys. Their confrontation escalated quickly during the 22nd over of England’s innings.

Root scored a boundary off the final delivery before walking past Prasidh Krishna. More heated words were exchanged between the two players. The on-field umpires stepped in to separate them and restore calm.

The incident marked one of cricket’s rarest sights as Root lost his composure. Krishna continued his aggressive approach throughout his bowling spell. The Karnataka bowler gave Root a cheeky grin after beating his bat again.

Krishna’s Controversial Selection Over Arshdeep

India surprised everyone by selecting Krishna ahead of Arshdeep Singh for the crucial decider. The left-arm pacer was expected to make his Test debut at The Oval. However, team management backed their experienced campaigner instead.

Prasidh Krishna’s ability to hit the deck hard influenced the selection decision. His extra pace at 145 kmph offers variety to India’s bowling attack. The tall fast bowler can exploit The Oval’s green surface effectively.

The management showed trust in their first-choice players by persisting with Krishna. His prior experience in English conditions proved crucial in selection discussions. Arshdeep’s Test debut will have to wait for another opportunity.

Unwanted Records Haunt Krishna’s Tour

Prasidh Krishna holds the unfortunate record for worst economy rate in Test history. He has conceded runs at over five per over throughout his career. The Karnataka paceman’s statistics make for concerning reading across formats.

In the first Test at Leeds, Prasidh Krishna leaked 128 runs in the first innings. His economy rate of 6.40 ranked among the most expensive spells ever. The second innings saw him concede 92 runs at 6.29 per over.

His performance at Edgbaston included a devastating 23-run over against Jamie Smith. Prasidh Krishna joined an unwanted list of most expensive overs for Indian bowlers. The internet trolling reached fever pitch after these statistics emerged.

Root’s Unusual Aggressive Response

Joe Root’s animated behaviour shocked cricket observers at The Oval. The Yorkshire batsman rarely loses his composure during international matches. His confrontation with Prasidh Krishna represented highly unusual behaviour from the former captain.

Former England captain Michael Atherton described Root’s reaction as extraordinary. The usually cheery batsman showed clear intent through his aggressive approach. Prasidh Krishna’s sledging had clearly struck a nerve with the experienced batter.

Ravi Shastri believed Root’s aggression sent a clear message to India. The former Indian coach praised the batsman’s sense of purpose. Root’s eyes showed determination to score runs and dominate proceedings.

India’s Aggressive Tactics Pay Dividends

Prasidh Krishna spearheaded India’s aggressive approach during the second session. His verbal exchanges complemented wicket-taking efforts from the bowling unit. The visitors staged a remarkable comeback after England’s dominant morning session.

Akash Deep had earlier given Ben Duckett an animated send-off. Prasidh Krishna continued the theme with his confrontational approach towards Root. The Indian bowlers clearly decided to match England’s traditional sledging tactics.

The aggression helped India restrict England’s scoring rate significantly. Prasidh Krishna claimed Zak Crawley’s wicket with a well-directed short ball. Mohammed Siraj dismissed Ollie Pope to further dent England’s progress.

Krishna’s Previous England Struggles

Prasidh Krishna admitted responsibility for his underwhelming first Test performance. He conceded over 200 runs across both innings at Headingley. The fast bowler acknowledged bowling shorter than ideal lengths initially.

Environmental factors including strong winds affected his rhythm and approach. Prasidh Krishna described how rain softened the ball and reduced seam movement. These conditions limited his effectiveness throughout the opening encounter.

The Karnataka paceman received backing from coach Gautam Gambhir despite poor figures. Prasidh Krishna emphasised the importance of learning from senior players like Jasprit Bumrah. Experience cannot be taught but must be earned through match situations.

Technical Analysis of Krishna’s Bowling

Prasidh Krishna operates as a hit-the-deck bowler with genuine pace capabilities. His height advantage allows him to extract uncomfortable bounce from surfaces. The Oval’s conditions should theoretically suit his bowling style perfectly.

His preferred length remains six to eight metres from the stumps. Prasidh Krishna struggled to find consistent radar throughout the England tour. Maintaining discipline while generating wicket-taking deliveries remains his biggest challenge.

The fast bowler’s three-quarter action generates natural movement off the seam. Prasidh Krishna relies on pace variations and bouncer tactics against quality batsmen. His effectiveness depends heavily on accurate line and length bowling.

Team Dynamics and Future Prospects

Prasidh Krishna remains an integral part of India’s pace bowling plans. His IPL Purple Cap victory influenced selection for this tour. The management continues backing him despite inconsistent Test performances.

Young bowlers like Akash Deep have impressed throughout the series. Prasidh Krishna faces increased competition for places in future squads. His tour performances will significantly influence upcoming selection meetings.

The Karnataka paceman’s international career hangs in the balance after this series. Prasidh Krishna needs strong showings to retain his place in Test cricket. His confrontation with Root demonstrated fighting spirit amid challenging circumstances.