Prasidh Krishna inches closer to Perth Test debut with impressive performance against Australia A for India A

Prasidh Krishna emerged as the standout performer for India during the match, showcasing his skill with the ball by claiming impressive figures of 4-50. Although he just missed out on picking up a five-wicket haul, Krishna's stellar performance has certainly put him in contention for a spot in India's team for the upcoming Test series starting in Perth on November 22. With such a strong showing, he will be hoping to impress the selectors and team management enough to earn a place in the playing XI.

With Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed opening the bowling with the new ball, Krishna was brought in as the first-change bowler in the innings by Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Krishna opened proceedings for himself by dismissing Oliver Davies in his first spell. However, it would be three wickets in quick succession in a three-over period later in the innings that helped the right-arm pace bowler rack up the dismissals in Melbourne.

Prasidh used his height and tall action to generate bounce and skid and saw results as he found the under-edge of Jimmy Peirson’s bat after the batter tried to play a hook shot. A sharp low catch by Dhruv Jurel with the gloves helped Prasidh break the 68-run partnership, before he returned to dismiss the other partner in Marcus Harris as well.

The Harris dismissal was crucial, with the southpaw on 74 when he dangled his bat outside off-stump and feathered a thin edge through to Jurel. The very next ball, Krishna dismissed Scott Boland, as he flashed at one which was slightly wide but not short enough, and was caught sharply by Abhimanyu Easwaran at first slip.

India's three pacers will be competing to be the third member of India's pace attack in the Test series alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, with Mohammed Shami looking unlikely to make a return to international cricket on this tour.

Australia were only leading by 6 when Harris and Boland were dismissed with only one wicket in hand, but some powerful and creative strokeplay by all-rounder Nathan McAndrew and tail-ender Corey Rocchiccioli inflated the lead as India bled some runs late.

Mukesh Kumar took his third wicket of the innings late to wrap up proceedings, but India’s batters will now have a tough task of putting up a good total in threatening conditions at the MCG.