Royals fast bowler Prasidh Krishna on Tuesday was handed his debut Test cap, as India geared up to play the first of the two Tests against South Africa. The Boxing Day Test is currently underway at the Supersport Park in Centurion, with India being put into bat on Day 1.
The right-arm pacer had a solid outing in the four-day game against South Africa A leading up to the official Test series, registering a five-wicket haul that included an impressive hat-trick. In the process, Prasidh became the first Indian pacer to bag a hat-trick while representing India A.
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Prasidh received his cap (No. 309) from fellow India pacer and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, as the team huddled up ahead of the toss. 27-year-old Prasidh made his international debut for India in an ODI in 2021. Two years later, he was called up to the T20I side that toured Ireland, which plotted his comeback to the national side after a long injury break. The Karnataka bowler has been part of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL but had missed the 2023 season due to an injury in his lower back. During this time, Prasidh worked on his rehabilitation at the NCA in Bengaluru and was also recovering under the guidance of the Royals coaches.
Another Royals player also features in this list of Test debutants on what is considered a traditionally significant day in Test cricket history. 28-year-old left-arm fast bowler Nandre Burger, who recently left a mark in the ODI series against India, was also handed his Test debut. Nandre was recently bought by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2024 auction and is known to bowl at speeds over 145 kph, with the ability to consistently swing the new ball.
Playing XI
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma(c), Keegan Petersen, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne(w), Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger
India: Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
