Prasidh Krishna's Hat-Trick Sets Momentum for India A before South Africa Tests
- Posted on December 13, 2023
- Sports
- By Arijit Dutta
- 234 Views
India A's Prasidh Krishna showcased brilliance, securing a hattrick against South Africa A ahead of the Test series. His stellar performance raises speculation about his role as a potential replacement in the Indian squad due to Mohammed Shami's injury ahead of the forthcoming South Africa tour's Test series.
In
a prelude to the impending Test series against South Africa, the Indian cricket
team's contingent, including India A, has been engaged in an intense cricketing
series. Amidst the ongoing T20Is and upcoming ODIs, India A is competing
fervently against South Africa A at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.
During the first unofficial Test, India A, after choosing to bowl, managed to restrict South Africa A to 319 runs in the initial innings. Notably, the home team seemed formidable initially, with Jean du Plessis and Rubin Hermann making commendable individual scores of 106 and 95 runs respectively. However, the momentum shifted dramatically due to the exceptional performance of pace bowler Prasidh Krishna, who executed a spectacular hat trick.
Krishna's
mesmerizing spell saw him dismissing Kurtlyn Mannikam and Siya Plaatjie on the
last two deliveries of the 97th over. He returned for his subsequent over,
swiftly claiming the wicket of Odirile Modimokoane on the first ball,
concluding a spellbinding five-wicket haul while conceding a mere 43 runs in
18.1 overs.
As anticipation mounts for the imminent Test series starting from December 26, Krishna's remarkable display has sparked discussions about potential replacements in the Indian squad, particularly due to Mohammed Shami's ongoing recovery from an ankle injury. With Shami's condition uncertain, Prasidh Krishna emerges as a probable alternative, considering Mukesh Kumar's involvement in the ongoing T20I series. Even if Shami remains unavailable, Krishna appears poised to make a compelling impact on the challenging pitches in South Africa.