Ravindra Jadeja, who missed the first Test due to a back spasm, is now available for selection, according to Rohit Sharma.
Some have sympathized, while others have criticized Prasidh Krishna’s Test debut for India last week in Centurion, where he picked up just one wicket for 98 runs in 20 overs as India fell by an innings and 32 runs to fall 0-1 behind South Africa in the two-match series.
Following his poor performance on the hot SuperSport Park track, notable experts such as Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan have called for Krishna’s replacement, but it appears that India captain Rohit Sharma wants to give the youngster another chance.
It is unlikely that Team India will treat debutants in this manner after just one bad game, but a scene from an optional practice session in Centurion last week, following the end of the first Test, which was completed in just three days, did hint at it.
Mukesh was seen bowling to Rohit, with the skipper directing his lengths and angles.
When asked if that meant Mukesh would get a second chance in Indian whites after making his debut in the West Indies tour last year, Rohit said in the pre-game press conference in Cape Town on Tuesday that he has yet to sit down with management and decide on the XI. He did confirm, however, that Ravindra Jadeja, who missed the first Test due to a back spasm, is now available for selection.
“Although we’ve had a brief discussion with management and coaching staff about what we want from this game and what we expect from the bowlers in this game, we haven’t finalized our playing level.” Everyone is obviously available for selection. There is no danger of injury. Everyone who has arrived is ready to play. “We’ll meet in the evening,” he said.
The veteran India opener, on the other hand, believes that while the bowling attack appears inexperienced, the players must be supported and shown that the management continues to believe in their abilities.
“I still believe that we have a little bit of inexperience in our bowling, and when you have that, you have to show some faith in them.” Trust them, and anything can happen to any team. But, as I mentioned in the last post-match press conference about Prasidh playing his first game, we all get nervous when you play your first game. “I understand,” he added.
“I’ll still stand by my belief that he has the ability to succeed at this level, particularly in this format.” So it’s just a matter of having faith and trust in everyone and getting the job done.”
Krishna was also present at the Centurion practice session on December 30, where he spent approximately 30 minutes working exclusively with India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey on his line and length. On Monday, he bowled in tandem with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the nets in Cape Town.