Prasidh Krishna replaces Nagarkoti at KKR

The Karnataka seamer, who was roped in by the Dinesh Karthik-led franchise as a net bowler, will now replace the injured Kamlesh Nagarkoti in the KKR camp.

KKR roped in young Karnataka pacer Prasidh Krishna as a net bowler for a few games in the ongoing IPL.

 

As Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hit the nets at the Eden Gardens on Friday evening, a young and tall gentleman could be seen near the bowling arena.

Not in Knights’ usual training colours — red and black — Prasidh Krishna, the young pacer from Karnataka, waited for his turn to bowl at the nets. Taking long run-ups, Prasidh bowled a couple of overs as the Andre Russells and the Chris Lynns prepared themselves for the fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

READ: KKR eyes redemption against high-flying SRH

Not many in this part of the world know the young Karnataka pacer who had set the stage on fire in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. So, even as he bowled consistently, not many could figure out who the new boy was.

As rumours spread that Kamlesh Nagarkoti, the young pacer and a member of India’s U-19 World Cup-winning team, was ruled out of the tournament, due to a niggle, speculations were rife that the ‘new boy’ at the nets could be the best possible replacement.

Even though the franchise remained silent on Nagarkoti on Friday evening, it confirmed on Saturday —hours before the match against SRH — that Prasidh will replace the injured Nagarkoti.

Prasidh, who scalped 17 wickets for Karnataka in Vijay Hazare, confirmed that he is in the city to bowl at the nets. “They had called me for some bowling practice. That’s why I was here,” the 22-year-old seamer later told Sportstar .

Even a source, who is aware of the development, confirmed that the franchise had called the Karnataka seamer to bowl because of his pace and consistency at the domestic level.

Despite being consistent, an IPL berth had eluded the young gun during the auction. Now, a chance coming his way, Prasidh would be hoping to impress at KKR.