"Missed a trick by not picking him from the beginning" - Former India bowler slams decision to bench Prasidh Krishna for Harshit Rana in BGT 2024-25 

Former India cricketer Dodda Ganesh criticized the team management's decision to bench Prasidh Krishna for most of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in favor of Harshit Rana. The Karnataka pacer had to wait for his chance and was included in the playing XI for the Sydney Test after an injury to Akash Deep.

With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj locked in the bowling department, and Mohammed Shami failing to recover completely in time, the spot for the third seamer was open. Harshit Rana was preferred in the first two Tests before Akash Deep took over for the next two matches.

Prasidh Krishna, meanwhile, arrived in Australia as part of India 'A' setup for the unofficial Test series against Australia 'A'. He picked up 10 wickets across the two matches, including a four-wicket haul at the MCG. Despite playing in the South Africa series at the start of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, he was not considered for the BGT Down Under.

Dodda Ganesh opined that India missed a trick by not picking Prasidh Krishna as the third seamer from the word go.

"After having seen what he’d done in the India-A games prior to the test series, picking Harshit Rana ahead of Prasidh made no cricketing sense whatsoever. Prasidh was in great rhythm; and India missed a trick by not picking him from the beginning," the former player posted on X

Harshit Rana made the most of the fiery pitch in Perth, but ended up wicketless with the pink ball in the second Test, leading to his omission.

Prasidh Krishna ended with figures of 3-42 in the first innings of the fifth Test

Prasidh Krishna took advantage of the green top in Sydney, with lots of bounce to exploit. He was a bit wayward, to begin with, and was even smashed for a six by Steve Smith, but slowly found his rhythm.

He had to play a bigger role after Jasprit Bumrah had to go off the field due to injury.

The Karnataka pacer ensured Australia did not have a lead by dismissing Smith, Beau Webster, and Alex Carey - three of the top four run-scorers for Australia in the first innings.