Gill signals Prasidh as possible new-ball partner as India weigh seam options without Bumrah
India captain Shubman Gill said on the eve of the first Test against Sri Lanka that Prasidh Krishna could open the bowling with Mohammed Siraj, with Jasprit Bumrah missing the series through a knee injury. Gill acknowledged the choice of the second seamer remains unresolved as India finalise their XI.
The first Test starts on Saturday and Siraj is the only certain pick among India’s four pace options. India are expected to play three left-arm spinners, with Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar offering the orthodox options and Kuldeep Yadav providing wrist spin, leaving the second seamer's slot as the main selection question. The decision is effectively between Gurnoor Brar and Prasidh Krishna; Brar is listed at 6 ft 5 in and Prasidh is an inch shorter, while Prasidh has played seven Tests and taken 25 wickets. Auqib Nabi is not in contention for the opening game.
"Gurnoor Brar is excellent with the old ball as he can extract bounce at a good pace. But Prasidh Krishna is bowling well of late as we have seen in the warm-up match. So it's a tough call," Gill said on the eve of the Test.
Gill framed Bumrah's absence as an opening for others to take responsibility and prepare for red-ball demands. "Jasprit Bumrah is not here but it's an opportunity for someone to step up. It's all about understanding the pace of the game," he said. With Bumrah out, Siraj is now the most experienced seamer in the squad.
India bowling coach Morne Morkel warned the touring quicks to expect challenging conditions in Sri Lanka, particularly as the Kookaburra ball softens. "Our skill is there, and the planning will be there, but the biggest challenge coming to Sri Lanka is the heat, the humidity, and the Kookaburra ball going soft a little earlier. It will go soft after 25 or 30 overs, so we have to expect that," Morkel said at the pre-match press conference.
Morkel emphasised mindset, energy and fielding plans for fast bowlers operating in short spells. "In these conditions, it's all about your mindset. If you're a fast bowler, if you're going to bowl the shortest spells, the energy you put into the ball and putting it into good areas, you'll always have opportunity." He also highlighted the need to sustain intensity and build pressure as the match progresses: "As the Test match will go on, hopefully there will be a little bit of uneven bounce. It's about how we can stack up overs together with intensity and create that pressure because we haven't played a lot of red-ball cricket in the last couple of months; going back into that is going to be a challenge as well," he said.
The first Test begins on Saturday, with India set to rely on Siraj to lead the pace attack while Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar vie for the remaining seamer spot and the chance to capitalise on Bumrah's absence.
