'He used the bouncer well' – Cheteshwar Pujara lauds Prasidh Krishna after Colombo heroics

Prasidh Krishna claimed three wickets during Sri Lanka's first innings on Day 3 of the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo. The Karnataka pacer registered figures of 3/47 in 14 overs at Stumps on Day 3, removing key batters in a spell that demonstrated tactical precision and adjustment. India had declared their first innings at 503 for nine on Day 2, and Krishna's performance with the ball helped maintain pressure on the home side, especially throughout the opening session.

Cheteshwar Pujara, the former India batter, analysed Krishna's bowling approach and highlighted the effectiveness of his tactical changes during the match. Pujara noted that Krishna's success came after he made crucial adjustments to his angle and length, particularly in the first session on Day 3. The cricketer-turned-expert observed that Krishna's varied approach, combining his natural back-of-length deliveries with short-pitched bowling, proved decisive in breaking through Sri Lanka's batting lineup.

"He got success only when he changed his angle in today's first session. They made a game plan. After that, he stuck to the short ball. Back-of-length delivery is his speciality, but along with that, he used the bouncer well," Pujara said during a discussion on Sony Sports.

Krishna's three wickets included the dismissal of Kamil Mishara, who was caught by Dhruv Jurel after a short ball climbed onto his gloves. He also removed Kamindu Mendis for 32 runs during the same session. On Day 2, Krishna had taken the wicket of Lahiru Udara for one run. Pujara noted the effectiveness of Krishna's varied approach across the two days of bowling, emphasising how the pacer's tactical adjustments had yielded results.

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"That's why he got two wickets with bouncers, and the one wicket we saw yesterday was from the six-to-eight-meter length, where he bowls more. So his bowling needs to be praised. It was a good spell yesterday, and he also bowled well today. However, he will have to bowl well tomorrow as well," Pujara said.