Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) young pacer Prasidh Krishna has been the find of the season for the Purple Brigade and bowling coach Heath Streak has gone to the extent of comparing the 22-year-old with Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah who also plays for Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL.
Krishna choked Rajasthan Royals’ chase, conceding just three runs in the 18th over to return with a tidy 1/28 as KKR booked a clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the second Qualifer Friday.
“That over was world class. It reminds me of guys like Jasprit Bumrah who came on the scene doing exactly what he is doing. He is one of those names IPL has unearthed and he is making a name for himself,” the former Zimbabwe captain Streak told reporters at the team hotel.
The Karnataka pacer was initially called to bowl at the nets but the franchise gave him an opportunity after injury to Under-19 World Cup winning pacer Kamlesh Nagarkoti. Terming him a smart and thinking bowler, Streak said: “He has brought a new dimension to the team, not just his pace but also his height. He is really using his options and variations well.
“He’s not allowing the batsman to look at the field and know what ball is coming next. With all of that, you still got to execute your skills and he is doing that. His confidence is growing and he has been fantastic,” Steak hailed.
Speaking ahead of their crucial match against SRH, Streak said that they are not bothering about opponent skipper Kane Williamson who has been in rousing form throughout the tournament leading the run scorer’s chart.
“Sometimes people forget to just bowl good balls at him. He is one of those players who respects a good ball and so it’s not to be intimidated and go away from the plan. He is like any other good player. If you bowl in the right areas you will create chances,” Streak said about their simple strategy.
