Prasidh doubtful for New Zealand ODIs, faces simulation tests on November 1 and 2
Still not cleared by the CoE after a hamstring injury, Prasidh is unlikely to be risked in the ODIs, with the team management keen to keep him for the two Tests
Prasidh Krishna’s participation in the ODI series against New Zealand is looking increasingly doubtful. A conditional selection for three of the five matches in the series, which begins on November 4, the 30-year-old pacer could miss the white-ball leg of the New Zealand tour, having not yet been cleared by the Centre of Excellence (CoE).
Cricbuzz understands that Prasidh is scheduled to undergo match simulations on November 1 and 2, putting his availability for the first ODI in Auckland in serious doubt. The second and third ODIs are scheduled for November 7 and 10, respectively, but whether the team management and selectors will risk playing him in either of those matches remains a matter of conjecture. Even that is subject to clearance from the CoE.
It is understood that head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill want Prasidh for the two Tests, in which India face a now-or-never situation in the context of qualification for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Given the extreme importance of the Tests, the team management may be reluctant to risk him in the other two ODIs as well. If cleared, he may feature in the third unofficial Test between India A and a New Zealand side from November 6 to 9.
There was an asterisk against his selection for the first three ODIs, with the BCCI release dated October 16 stating that his participation was ‘subject to fitness clearance’. He was not picked for the last two ODIs, from which a few red-ball players, including skipper Shubman Gill, were also excluded.
There is no such asterisk against Prasidh’s name in the squad for the two-Test series, indicating that he is expected to be fit for the five-day games. The two Tests are scheduled to start on November 19 in Wellington and November 27 in Christchurch respectively.
Prasidh, who has featured in only nine Tests so far but has rapidly emerged as a reliable bowler in both red- and white-ball cricket, underwent a match simulation on October 22. The fact that he is scheduled for another simulation in the coming days suggests that the previous test may not have yielded the desired results. However, it is understood that the assessment at the CoE has not been entirely discouraging.
It is learnt from sources that despite satisfactory clinical progress, Prasidh has reported some apprehension. His recovery and response will continue to be monitored (by the CoE medical team). A CoE report says, “Gradual Workload Increase: Skill-specific loading will be increased progressively, with continued clinical monitoring.”
And the CoE report adds, “Immediate Priority: The focus is on gradually achieving the required bowling workload ahead of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.”
Prasidh has been out of action since September 30, when he pulled a hamstring during the second ODI against the West Indies. He has been at the CoE since, with the team management hoping that he would be ready for the New Zealand tour. It will be known in the next few days whether he will be available for the tour, at least the Test leg of it.
