Why is Prasidh Krishna Playing Over Mohammed Siraj?, Is His Selection Justified?

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Why is Prasidh Krishna Playing Over Mohammed Siraj?: The selection process in Indian cricket has always been a subject of intense discussion. The exclusion of star performer Mohammed Siraj from the squad for the ODI series against South Africa, while Prasidh Krishna is consistently given opportunities, raises several questions. Let's understand the possible reasons behind Siraj's absence and Krishna's selection, especially since the World Cup concluded some time ago.

Why was Mohammed Siraj dropped from the ODI team?

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Mohammed Siraj has been a mainstay of the Indian pace attack in recent years and boasts an impressive ODI record.

• Incredible Form: Siraj has consistently performed well in major tournaments and showcased his ability to take wickets with his swing and seam movement.
• Exclusion from the Squad: Despite being in excellent form, he was not included in the squad for the ODI series against South Africa.
• Current Situation: Siraj is currently playing in domestic tournaments to hone his skills, while his services might have been needed at the international level.

Prasidh Krishna's Inconsistent Performance: Is His Selection Justified?

Prasidh Krishna possesses pace and bounce in his bowling, but his performance in this series has been inconsistent, raising questions about his selection:

• Fluctuating Performance: While his performance in the first ODI was controlled (1 wicket, economy 6.50), he proved to be the most expensive bowler in the second ODI (85 runs in 8.2 overs).
• Justification for Selection: There should be a strong strategic reason behind giving him continuous opportunities despite inconsistent performances.

Also Read: Is Siraj Now a One-Format Player?, Why Is He Not Playing Against South Africa?

Team India's Strategy: Why Prefer Prasidh Krishna Over Siraj?

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Since the World Cup concluded some time ago, the 'workload' argument becomes less convincing. The following could be stronger strategic reasons behind this decision:

1. Assessing a Specific Skillset

• Extra Bounce: Krishna, due to his tall height, possesses the ability to extract extra bounce from the pitch. The team management is deliberately giving him opportunities on foreign (like South Africa) and bouncy pitches to see how effective this specific skill is at the international level.

2. Building the Bench Strength

• Team India is building a strong 'bench' for the future. Mohammed Shami is now in the twilight of his career. Therefore, the team needs a third fast bowler alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj for the future.
• By consistently playing Prasidh Krishna in challenging situations against strong opponents, the team is giving him experience and grooming him as a reliable backup option.

3. Future Vision of Selectors

• The selection committee likely considers Krishna a long-term prospect. He is a fast and young option in whom they are investing. By supporting him despite his poor form, the selectors are showing faith in his confidence and skills.

Conclusion: Is this decision justified?

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Based on performance, Siraj's inclusion in the team would have been justified. However, the team management's decision is clearly focused on future preparation and skill-based assessment. Siraj has been asked to maintain his form in the domestic circuit, while Krishna is being given a chance to prove himself at the international level.

It's a risky gamble, but if Krishna can handle the international pressure and find his rhythm, India will have an excellent fast-bowling option alongside Bumrah and Siraj in the future.

Also Read: Who is Jake Weatherald?, Career, Wife, Biography, and Ashes Performance

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