Indian seamer Prasidh Krishna has taken full responsibility for his inability to consistently bowl the right lengths during the first Test against England, though he maintained he aimed to bowl economically throughout.
Prasidh faced criticism from former players after conceding over 200 runs in the series opener at Leeds, which India lost by five wickets.
鈥淚f I look at the first innings, I was a little too short than where I wanted to be, 6-8 is ideal. Second innings it got slightly better, because again, the wicket was slightly slower. I had to pitch a few slightly behind 8, and go slightly fuller, when I am trying to get a wicket.
鈥淚 definitely did not bowl the lengths that I wanted to. It took me some time to get used to the slope on that side. No reasons, but I should be able to do it as a professional. I take complete responsibility about it, and maybe, do it better next time,鈥 Prasidh said at a press conference ahead of the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
In the first innings, Prasidh conceded 128 runs in 20 overs at an economy rate of 6.40, one of the worst figures by an Indian bowler with a minimum of 20 overs in an innings. However, he claimed the wickets of Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, and Jamie Smith.
In the second innings, Prasidh gave India hope by dismissing Zak Crawley and Pope in quick succession but again had a high economy rate of 6.10, conceding 92 runs in 15 overs.
鈥淓very time I come out to bowl, I was definitely looking to bowl a maiden. I am not really trying to give away boundaries or anything. The outfield was fast. The lengths, lines that I bowled was not perfect, to be honest, at most times. And they took me on. Some of them were edges.
鈥淪ome of them, I tried bowling bouncers. But I ended up giving runs. But definitely, every time I come out to bowl, I was looking to keep the economy rate down and build the pressure up,鈥 Prasidh said.
Wind And Rain鈥檚 Effect
The wind at Headingley, which was often blustery and cold, also posed challenges for the players.
鈥淵ou are trying to run in hard. The wind sometimes is on and off. So, it is very important to understand what the pace of the run-up is.
鈥淎nd I did have a chat with a couple of other guys as well, asking them what they did to be at the right pace, when they are running in to bowl. So, that is about it.鈥
The occasional rain and drizzle added to the difficulties.
鈥淓very time the ball goes on the ground, it became wet. And when the ball becomes wet, it is going to get softer. The shine is not going to be around. So, I think that did play a part.
鈥淚f there are clouds, there is going to be swing. If there is sun, there is not going to be swing. So, that is what we are looking to do. make sure we bowl the right areas. The gripping, I wouldn鈥檛 say it was a problem.
鈥淚t just got softer. And the moment it got softer, the seam got softer, the amount of purchase you get from the pitch differs.鈥
(With inputs from PTI)