India fast bowler Prasidh Krishna is excited for the upcoming 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with conditions set to assist fast bowlers on African soil.
The global showpiece returns to South Africa after 24-years, and the Indian bowlers will be looking to make the most of the conditions to give their side the best shot at glory.
As India enter a crucial preparatory phase for the World Cup with an upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, Prasidh outlined the unique challenges a bowler faces in the 50-over format.
"The ODI format is very interesting, and I think it’s the toughest format because you have to adapt between different phases of the game," Prasidh told JioStar.
"For a bowler who has to operate in all three phases, the powerplay has made it even more challenging. But that’s the challenge. The harder things get, the fewer people there are who can do it well. That’s what I’m looking forward to.
"One-day cricket is exciting, and a World Cup in South Africa will be particularly exciting for fast bowlers. High-scoring games have become the norm, with 300 and 350 now becoming regular scores. But for us as bowlers, the challenge is to restrict the opposition as much as possible and come up with different tactics to get the job done."
After hosting the West Indies for three ODIs and five T20Is, India will travel to New Zealand for a full-fledged, all-format series featuring five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests.
The tall speedster is now a regular for India in Tests and ODIs, and spoke about the upcoming tour of New Zealand, which will be crucial for the Men in Blue.
"New Zealand is going to be a completely different challenge. It’s a beautiful place to play, but as a bowler, it tests you in every way: your skill, your endurance, and your ability to keep coming back session after session.
"For now, we’re focusing on getting the basics right. Once we get there, we’ll understand the conditions and adapt accordingly. The idea is to equip ourselves with all kinds of skills so that, when we get there, we can pick and choose what we want to do.
"As fast bowlers, we’re definitely going to be tested. You’re expected to do a lot more in New Zealand than in the subcontinent, and that’s the challenge I’m looking forward to," he said. | IANS