Published on: Oct 29, 2026 11:34 am IST|Updated on: Oct 29, 2026 11:34 am IST
Clouds of doubt loom over Prasidh Krishna as he races against time to get fit for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The Karnataka right-arm pacer was selected for the first three games of the five-match ODI series, but the 30-year-old pacer, who is yet to recover from a hamstring injury, is in serious doubt about missing the ODI series. Prasidh is yet to receive full medical clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
The national selectors conditionally named an unfit Prasidh Krishna for the first three ODIs of the series and also for the 2-match Test series, but it seems like he may have to miss the ODIs and could be doubtful for the Test series as well.
Prasidh underwent a crucial match simulation session at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on October 22. However, the requirement for additional assessments indicates that his recovery and bowling workload need further evaluation before he receives clearance for international action.
His next match simulation and fitness tests are scheduled for November 1 and 2 in Bengaluru, and the outcome of these tests will determine if the Karnataka pacer will be eligible to take part in the ODI series set to kick off on November 4 at the Eden Park in Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau).
Addressing Prasidh’s ongoing recovery and the management’s long-term plan, a BCCI source disclosed:
“Prasidh is recovering well and he has his match simulation and fitness test lined up at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on November 1 and 2. In any case, the team management as well as national selection committee believes that Prasidh should be fully ready for Tests where he is required more than ODIs.”
The Indian team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill, is adopting a cautious approach regarding Prasidh’s match workload. With vital World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake during the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, risking the fast bowler in the 50-over format is viewed as unnecessary. The two-match Test series begins on November 19 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington (Te Whanganui-a-Tara), and the second Test will be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch (Ōtautahi) on November 27.
In case Prasidh Krishna fails to recover from the hamstring injury he is carrying, Jammu & Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi seems to be emerging as the potential candidate to replace Krishna in the ODI squad for the first three games. Auqib is already a part of the fourth and fifth ODIs in the series and could potentially feature in the first three ODIs as well if Prasidh misses out.
Besides Auqib, Yash Thakur has also been named in the last two ODIs. He is another right-arm pacer who could be deployed in the squad for the opening two games. The third and final option could be Delhi’s right-arm pacer Prince Yadav, who is currently playing in the T20I series. Prince, already in New Zealand, could be an apt replacement for Prasidh, as the Delhi pacer is known for his skiddy deliveries and bowling crunch yorkers.