Why is Prasidh Krishna Playing Today in IND vs SA 3rd ODI? KL Rahul Issues BIG UPDATE

Many fans and even former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif delivered a sharp critique of Prasidh Krishna after the pacer faced heavy criticism in India’s second ODI loss at Raipur earlier this week. The team management and the Indian skipper, KL Rahul, have still backed him to play in the 3rd and decider ODI of the series.

Under heavy dew in Raipur during the second ODI, South Africa successfully chased down a massive 359-run target, their joint-highest successful run chase against India in ODIs, with Prasidh finishing as India’s costliest bowler. Although he claimed two wickets, he leaked 85 runs at an economy rate of over 10 per over. Kaif was particularly critical of his overall skill set, suggesting the 29-year-old lacks a clear standout weapon expected from a frontline fast bowler.

Is Prasidh Krishna Playing Today During IND vs SA 3rd ODI?

Prasidh Krishna has retained his place in India’s playing XI for the third ODI in Visakhapatnam, even after an expensive outing in Raipur, where he had bowling figures of 8.2 overs, 85 runs and two wickets. Despite the wide criticism that followed after the match, the team management has continued to show faith in the Karnataka pacer.

According to match-day squad details, Prasidh Krishna remains a key part of India’s pace unit for the decider. With frontline quicks like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who are among the best bowlers in the world, not part of this series, the selectors have limited fast-bowling options, which must have influenced the decision to persist with him. Although he faced visible pressure and on-field heated conversation from skipper KL Rahul in the previous match, the think tank has opted for continuity, hoping he can rediscover his rhythm in the series decider.

Prasidh Krishna Silences Critics with Match-Turning Spell

Despite a difficult outing in the previous match, Prasidh Krishna was trusted for the decisive third ODI against South Africa in Visakhapatnam, and the decision was fully justified. The fast bowler had gone for 85 runs in 8.2 overs in Raipur, conceding at over ten an over. A section of social media targeted him, particularly recalling the England Test series where, despite taking 14 wickets in three matches, his economy was around five runs per over.

India’s team management backed him, remembering his potential. In one decisive over, he removed Matthew Breetzke, who was looking set on 24, and then dismissed Aiden Markram for just one, a batter who had scored a century as an opener in the previous match but was pushed down to No.5 in this game.

Prasidh followed up with another tight over before delivering the most important breakthrough of the innings, the dismissal of a well-set Quinton de Kock for 106. The wicket came moments after de Kock had brought up his first ODI hundred since coming out of retirement and drawn level with Sanath Jayasuriya for the most ODI centuries against India.