Hitting the road to fame

Prasidh story

In a Karnataka team oozing with talent, opportunities don’t come calling too often. But with some seniors sitting out the three-day game against Bangladesh ‘A’ due to a variety of reasons, talented teenager Prasidh Krishna was handed a first-class debut and the pacer grabbed it with both hands.

Possessing plenty of potential, the 19-year-old right-arm medium pacer hit the jackpot with his very first ball, inducing an edge off Rony Talukdar for his maiden first-class wicket.

He then produced a fine spell of pace bowling, showing that the first ball was no fluke.

He kept the ball just around the off-stump area and with the length too being full, the Bangladeshi batsmen — most of them internationals — had a tough time negotiating him. With senior pro HS Sharath too keeping it tight from the other end, Prasidh kept gaining in confidence with every ball to eventually end up with sparkling figures of 5/49 from 12 overs.

“First game, I was prepared well,” said Prasidh.

“My (bowling) coach (Mansur Ali Khan) told me not to take any pressure and just go and perform. I never took any pressure upon myself. I just bowled the best I could and I’m glad to have bagged five wickets. It feels good when you reap the rewards for all the effort you have put until today. Five wickets, on debut and on a single day, nothing like it.”

Bengalurean Prasidh, a second year BCom student in Jain College, started playing cricket while studying sixth standard at Carmel School, Padmanabanagar. Under coach Srinivas Murthy, a former leg-spinner, he started to focus more on cricket at 14 years of age. He got picked for the State U-14 team and has been a member of the State junior teams throughout.

His consistent performances helped him earn a training stint at the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai this April where he got the chance to sharpen his skills under the tutelage of Aussie great Glenn McGrath and M Senthilnathan.

“It was very helpful,” said Prasidh about the four-month long programme.

“The training part of it was very intense. You train in Bengaluru also, but at MRF it is a cut above.

“I had coaching sessions with Glenn McGrath and Senthilnathan. It gives you plenty of confidence because you train with some of the best bowlers in India as well as McGrath. It’s a huge confidence booster. You also get individual attention. They gave feedback about my loading. It was not like I was doing it wrong but they gave me tips to make it better.”

Having made a strong first impression, Prasidh’s next aim is to make it to the Ranji Trophy squad.

“Everything will not happen in one game. I’m happy that I’m part of the set-up. If I’m good enough I’ll be picked. Else, I’ll keep doing my job.”