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Prasidh's knight-in-shining-armour moment for Kolkata

Last Updated 26 October 2018, 12:03 IST

After an average start, Prasidh Krishna's debut IPL season has taken a turn for the better.

The Karnataka paceman, who made it to the Kolkata Knight Riders' squad as a replacement to the injured Kamlesh Nagarkoti, had two quiet outings against Mumbai Indians (0/39 & 1/41). But the youngster has slowly found his feet in the league and in the all-important clash against the mighty Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, Prasidh produced his best figures of the tournament.

The 22-year-old bagged four for 30, including the wickets of the dangerous Shikhar Dhawan and Manish Pandey. He played a key role in stopping Sunrisers from executing the late charge by dismissing all-rounder Shakib-Al-Hasan and Rashid Khan in the final over of the innings. Prasidh's efforts eventually played a key role in Kolkata's entry to the play-offs as Dinesh Karthik's men registered a five-wicket win.

His Kolkata team-mate Shubman Gill also felt that the brilliant death bowling, led by Prasidh, turned the match in their favour.

After restricting Sunrisers to 172 for nine, KKR chased down the target with two balls to spare and became the third team to make it to the next stage of the ongoing IPL.

"I think the way we bowled at the death overs was the turning point of the match. Prasidh bowled really well. All the bowlers bowled really well at the death,” Gill said on Saturday.

Prasidh, like most Kolkata bowlers on the night, didn't have the brightest of starts but made quick amends to return his best figures.

"I was upset that I gave away 11 runs in my first over. So in my second spell I didn't want to give free runs. I kept a tight line and it worked," Prasidh told DH on Sunday.

Prasidh trapped Dhawan in front with a slower delivery and he felt the southpaw's wicket was the game-changer. "Dhawan's wicket was big. He was well set, so his departure broke their momentum. Getting Pandey out also was good because we all know how easily he can demolish any attack," Prasidh said.

Prasidh, who has taken nine wickets from five games, said the IPL stint so far has taught him a lot. "In my debut match, I went blank. I wasn't sure if I had to stop the runs or go for wickets. Now I have begun to understand the requirements of the game. I have realised that playing according to the situation will help me. Sometimes dot balls or pressure can get you wickets and you need to create that," he explained.

Interactions with KKR bowling coach Heath Streak have made him a thinking bowler. "Prior to each game, I discuss field set ups for different batsmen. More or less, I have been able to execute the plans discussed with Heath Streak and DK (Dinesh Karthik)."

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(Published 20 May 2018, 12:26 IST)

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