India Remains Positive Despite Test Defeat, Krishna Highlights Team Mindset Amid Bumrah Workload Management

Following a setback in the opening Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England at Headingley, Leeds, the Indian team is focused on regrouping. Despite the loss, head coach Gautam Gambhir has affirmed the pre-series decision to manage Jasprit Bumrah's workload, limiting him to three of the five Tests.

"Haven’t decided which two matches Bumrah will play, but he will play a total of three. We need to manage his workload. The scoreline doesn’t change that… he will play three Tests only," Gambhir stated.

Prasidh Krishna acknowledges the valuable insights he gains from Jasprit Bumrah.

With Bumrah's appearances limited, fellow pace bowler Prasidh Krishna sees this as an opportunity for others to step up.

"What a culture we guys have created. We are learning from each other, no matter who's there or who's around. And with Booms (Bumrah) around, he's been talking to all of us throughout, even before coming here... One thing you cannot get is experience — you have to go through it yourself. And yeah, I think all of us are excited," Prasidh told reporters in Birmingham.

He further emphasized the positive atmosphere within the team: "If you look at the team, everybody is here. Siraj has played a lot of games, he's going to continue playing, and whoever comes in — or whatever happens later — it's a great experience and an opportunity. That’s the way we look at it."

England's recent victory was unprecedented. They became the first team in first-class cricket history to concede five individual centuries and still successfully chase a target exceeding 300 runs. Despite Rishabh Pant's two centuries and India posting a substantial 835 runs in the match, batting collapses ultimately proved detrimental.

Addressing any concerns about dressing room morale, Prasidh asserted, "The dressing room is still positive, happy, and very, very motivated... even in the game today, we might have looked quiet at times, but I think we still had a plan."

He explained the team's approach: "We wanted to do something, and we went about doing it — we got two wickets in a cluster, twice. So that kept the motivation going... We made sure that until the last run was scored, we were still fighting and making them work hard for it."

Prasidh Acknowledges Learning Curve

While Jasprit Bumrah shone with five wickets in the first innings, the other bowlers, including Prasidh, faced challenges. Prasidh acknowledged his expensive spells and lack of consistency.

"Yeah, definitely (on economy over 6)... I definitely want to bring that number down — to the best I can. And I think I’m learning as well. It’s on me — I can’t say anything else. It’s my responsibility to get better, and that’s what I’m trying."

He elaborated on his approach to each delivery: "Every time I come out to bowl, I’m definitely looking to bowl a maiden. I’m not really trying to give away boundaries or anything... every time I bowl, I’m looking to keep the economy rate down and build pressure."

Analyzing his performance, Prasidh admitted, "If I look at the first innings, I was a little shorter than where I wanted to be... So yeah, I definitely didn’t bowl the lengths I wanted to."

Prasidh's Perspective on Captain Gill

This series marks Shubman Gill's inaugural assignment as India's Test captain following Rohit Sharma's retirement. Prasidh, having played under Gill for Gujarat Titans, offered his insights.

"About Shubman — yeah, I think he did a pretty good job. All of us saw how he rotated the bowlers, made sure everyone got enough breaks, and brought bowlers in at the right times... And knowing him, he created a very good atmosphere around the team."

He concluded by highlighting the team's preparation: "He's been speaking to all of us. We always go in with a plan, and the communication is happening there... The runs and numbers will then follow. And we are working towards that."