WATCH: Australia probables face Prasidh Krishna’s wrath in second innings against India A in Melbourne

Pacer Prasidh Krishna picked up two crucial wickets of Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft in the first over of the second innings in the unofficial Test against Australia A. Both Australian players are in contention to make it to the Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy after Steve Smith has confirmed that he will be back at number four.

Consequently, this once again left the door open for the opener’s spot. Notably, Prasidh Krishna picked up the wicket of Harris in the second ball of the innings. The southpaw failed to time it as he nicked it for Dhruv Jurel to pick up a regular catch.

In the next delivery, the 29-year-old sent Bancroft back to the pavilion after a successful LBW (Leg before wicket dismissal) appeal. The back-to-back wickets put the hosts on the backfoot who are chasing 168 runs in the fourth innings.

Check out Prasidh Krishna's sensational bowling vs Australia A here:

Marcus Harris 🦆
Cameron Bancroft 🦆

Prasidh Krishna removes two Test contenders on consecutive balls in the first over #AUSAvINDA pic.twitter.com/5bOOhC7Fqj

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 9, 2024

What’s next for Prasidh Krishna?

After a humiliating 3-0 series defeat to New Zealand at home, there’s immense pressure on the Indian team ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25), slated to begin on November 22. So much so, that the BCCI officials are even considering removing Gautam Gambhir as Test ball head coach if they lose the series, which might as well decide India’s fate for the upcoming World Test Championship finale.

Also Watch: India A players fumed as umpire turns down appeal against Marcus Harris

Amid all these, there’s doubt about who would pair with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the first Test in Perth. Harshit Rana was one of the contenders but Prasidh’s recent performances on Australian soil hold the edge. He picked up a four-wicket haul in the first innings against Australia A and with two back-to-back wickets in the second innings, the Karnataka pacer has made a strong case for himself.

Team India are set to start training in Australia in the early next week. They will train for more than a week during which, the team management will take a call on the team composition.