As the sun briefly emerged from the clouds over Headingley, the energy on the field shifted dramatically, and it was Prasidh Krishna who became the architect of that change. With England appearing to be in firm control of the run chase, needing just over 100 runs with six wickets in hand, Krishna delivered two thunderbolts that jolted the hosts and reignited India’s chances in the gripping finale of the first Test.
England had entered the final session with confidence after a near-perfect start to the fourth innings. Ben Duckett’s sublime 149 had laid the foundation, and Zak Crawley was batting fluently at the other end. The Indian bowlers had looked tired, the fielders flat, and the momentum clearly belonged to the home side. But cricket, as ever, has a way of flipping narratives in a matter of moments — and Prasidh Krishna provided the spark that turned the match on its head.
With the ball relatively new and the skies overcast, Krishna returned for a fresh spell. His very first over back was clinical — full of purpose and intent. Zak Crawley, who had settled in beautifully, was undone by a delivery that shaped in late and took a thick edge. KL Rahul at slip completed a sharp catch, and suddenly, the Indian team roared back to life.
Prasidh Krishna was not done. With the crowd still murmuring about Crawley’s dismissal, he struck again in his very next over. This time, it was Ollie Pope, the centurion from the first innings. Krishna bowled a delivery angled in towards off-stump, and Pope misjudged the line. The ball seamed back, brushing the pad and then clipping the off stump. In two overs, Krishna had removed two of England’s key batters, and what had looked like a smooth chase was now a tense battle.
The twin blows had a cascading effect. India’s fielders, reinvigorated, began cutting off singles, applying pressure on the incoming batters. Bumrah and Jadeja built on Prasidh Krishna’s pressure, tightening lines and bowling maidens. England, who had looked comfortable, now found themselves hesitant. The scoreboard stalled, and the required runs began to feel heavier with each passing over.
What made Prasidh Krishna’s spell remarkable wasn’t just the wickets, but the timing of them. With India desperately in need of breakthroughs, he delivered. His rhythm, control, and ability to generate late movement even on a relatively flat surface showed maturity well beyond his limited experience in the format. It was the kind of impact spell that defines matches and often, careers.
England’s dressing room, which had looked calm earlier, began showing signs of anxiety. With Root and Stokes at the crease, they still had hope — two seasoned campaigners capable of navigating pressure. But India now believed. Every ball was being cheered, every dot met with applause, and every chance seized with renewed urgency.
As the match edged towards a thrilling conclusion, Prasidh Krishna’s double strike stood out as the turning point. Whether or not India manage to seize victory from this position, the young pacer’s fiery burst has ensured that this contest will go down as one of the most riveting in recent memory — a true testament to the unpredictable brilliance of Test cricket.
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