What’s his story?

Prasidh, 25, hails from Bangalore and plays for the Karnataka state team. He made it to the Karnataka under-14s in 2010 and progressed to the under-19 side by 2013, also playing U-25 zonal level. He made his first-class debut for Karnataka aged 19, playing against a touring Bangladesh A side during their 2015 tour of India. Featuring in a line-up containing the likes of Mayank Agarwal, Robin Uthappa and Shreyas Gopal, he claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings.

He made his List A debut for the side two years later in a full-strength Karnataka side during the 2017/18 Vijay Hazare Trophy and earned his T20 cap a year later in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy under Vinay Kumar.

Has he played the IPL?

Prasidh Krishna was a nets bowler for Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2018, joining the side for the pre-tournament training sessions. During the tournament, he was called as a replacement for Kamlesh Nagarkoti, whose injury prevented him from participating.

In seven games, he picked up 10 wickets at 26.00, including a four-wicket haul. However, over the next two seasons, his numbers weren’t as striking – in the 2019 edition, he took only four wickets in 11 games @ 94.25, at an economy of 9.34. Last year, he claimed four wickets in six matches @ 41.00, with a best of 3-29 and an economy of 9.37.

What are his domestic numbers like?

Being part of a strong domestic side like Karnataka, Prasidh has found it difficult to enjoy a consistent run in their first-class team and has played just nine games in five years. So far, he has picked up 34 wickets @ 20.26 with a best of 5-49.

In List A cricket, he’s taken 81 wickets @ 23.07 from 48 matches, at an economy of 5.17, while his 40 T20 games have fetched him 33 wickets at an economy of 8.49, with best figures of 4-30.

What do the experts say?

During IPL 2019, Brett Lee was impressed with Prasidh’s pace, noting that he “has been bowling at 145 kph and thereabouts” in the tournament. That year, he touched the 150 kph barrier thrice, with his fastest delivery clocked at 150.22 kph.

Upon his call-up, Glenn McGrath congratulated Prasidh on social media – the 25-year-old was part of the MRF Pace Foundation a couple of years ago, where McGrath serves as director.

Sanjay Bangar, the former India batting coach, recently said that Prasidh has a “sound head and can make good decisions”.

Ahead of the ODI series, Kohli said that “I think there’ll be one player who will be a surprise package [for the T20 World Cup in Australia]. Prasidh Krishna is someone who has bowled really well in domestic cricket.”