As teams frequently score and chase totals exceeding 200 with remarkable ease this season, Prasidh highlighted the critical need for precise execution of strategies and skills under pressure.
“Yes, having those variations is extremely important for a bowler. You aim to ensure that average scores trend downward, and it’s all about the hard work put in behind the scenes,” Prasidh conveyed to PTI. “Preparation for various situations, pitches, venues, and batsmen is key, making sure to execute everything effectively because this tournament demands high skill, allowing very little margin for error.
“It’s about delivering the right balls. It’s crucial to understand the batsman’s intent, gauge the situation, maintain clarity about your approach, and fully commit to it,” he added.
The fast bowler, who has taken 14 wickets in eight matches so far, has successfully integrated the slow bouncer as a significant weapon in his arsenal throughout the tournament. The Karnataka pacer also shared insights on how he developed and utilized this delivery in his game.
“It’s quite amusing because I just tried it during practice. One of our net bowlers, Darshan Nalkande, was using it, and I discussed it with him. He showed me how to execute it. In one of the practice sessions, it felt really effective,” he recounted.
“Then I transitioned it into games. It was all about building confidence, trusting your delivery, and having faith in your team to support your approach. When things go well, they go well, but a lot of effort went into mastering that delivery.” However, Prasidh noted that recognizing one’s strengths is vital for a bowler’s success in this fast-paced format.
“The hard (Test match) length is certainly effective. Still, there are various ways to bowl a yorker or a slow bouncer. Lasith Malinga did it, and Jaspreet Bumrah has his own method.
“It’s about knowing your strengths. Determine which delivery fits the ground and the situation, and focus on bowling more of that,” he suggested.
The 30-year-old remarked that relying on a pre-set plan in T20s has become nearly impossible; bowlers must think on their feet during the match.
“In a T20 game, we bowl 24 balls. When a fast bowler gets hit repeatedly, the question becomes: how can I improve now? Whether it requires a slower ball, a bouncer, or a yorker, you must adapt.
“You don’t come in with a predetermined plan stating how many balls you’ll bowl fast. Yet, bowling fast does offer a slight advantage against batsmen,” he explained.
Despite having strategies in place, Prasidh understands he may still face expensive overs in T20s. So, how does he regroup after being hit hard by batters? “I believe sport is a blessing, starting fresh every day. In T20, it’s every single ball that counts. There might be times when you’ve bowled 23 balls for 65 runs. Still, when you need to defend 3 runs off 1 ball, you’re very much in the game.
“A single well-placed delivery can clinch the match for your team. Hence, it’s about focusing on the fact that you’re part of 24 balls.
“Even if 23 deliveries don’t go your way, the 24th could significantly impact the game. Breaking it down to that level is definitely helpful,” he acknowledged.
The GT connection
However, Prasidh asserts that all of this would not have been possible without the “intentional” training sessions guided by GT head coach Ashish Nehra, a former pacer for India. “This team is fantastic, and the people are genuinely supportive. I’ve fully utilized the resources around me. Our consistency is commendable. One thing I can note that sets us apart is our dedication to practice.
“We ensure that our practice is purposeful, and that’s what I would describe it as. We concentrate on our objectives. I think having a stable environment around you contributes immensely,” he indicated. Prasidh credited bowling alongside and conversing with seasoned pacers like Rabada, Mohammad Siraj, and Jason Holder as instrumental in honing his skills.
“It significantly enhances my development because, when interacting with great players like Siraj, Rabada, Holder, and Rashid… the newer members of our team also bring diverse skills.
“As bowlers, we are always eager to learn from one another. We engage in discussions not only during practice but also outside—in our team room, during meals, and on the bus. Continuous exchanges help us improve collectively,” he elaborated.
(With PTI inputs)
