Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna recently spent time with young cricketers during a training session, sharing stories, advice, and plenty of smiles as part of an exclusive shoot for Bangalore Times. For Prasidh, being among young cricketers on the practice field was an emotional moment. Their curiosity and excitement reminded him of a time when he was just another kid, eager to learn from seniors. “I was thinking the whole time that I was one of them a few years ago,” he says. “Whenever seniors came and spoke to us, we would watch everything — how they walked, how they ran, how they bowled. We’d ask every possible question. So being here today really takes me back to those days,” he says. In a candid chat, he spoke about growing up in the city, the discipline of pace bowling, lessons from injuries, and how leagues like the IPL have transformed Indian cricket. Excerpts:‘Seeing legends from Karnataka made us believe we could do it too’Karnataka has produced several legendary cricketers, but Prasidh says growing up in that environment never felt like pressure.“When we were growing up, we knew so many great players had come from Karnataka. That actually gives you belief. If someone from your own place has done well for the country, it makes you think — maybe I can do it too,” he says. ‘IPL prepares young players for international cricket and pressure’With the IPL around the corner, the pacer reflects on how the league boosts confidence in young players. “When you come into the IPL as a youngster, you’ve already grown up watching these stars on TV. Then, suddenly, you find yourself sharing a dressing room with them. It’s a huge learning curve — not just in terms of cricket, but also in understanding team dynamics and relationships,” he says.
No matter which part of the world I go to, I always want to come back to Bengaluru; it’s home for me. The city has also played a huge role in shaping both my life and career
Prasidh Krishna, Indian pacer
He believes the tournament’s high-pressure matches help build fearless players. “Most players entering international cricket today are fearless, and a lot of credit goes to the IPL. Facing that level of competition prepares you really well.” Now a senior player in his IPL franchise, Prasidh says leadership has added a new dimension to his role. “When people start looking at you for performances or guidance, it makes you more invested in what you’re doing. You think about how you can inspire younger players and contribute more to the team,” he says. ‘Fast bowlers have the toughest job on the field’Being a fast bowler is physically demanding, and fitness is always on your mind. “You know you’re doing the hardest job in the sport. When you push your body every single day, it automatically makes you mentally stronger. Criticism or pressure doesn’t affect you as much because you know the work you’ve put in,” he says. Incidentally, injuries are part of every fast bowler’s journey, but Prasidh believes they also offer valuable lessons. “That’s the magic of sport. You might score a hundred or take five wickets, but the next day you start again from zero. Injuries are similar. There will be phases when you can’t play for three or six months, but when you come back, you aim to return twice as strong,” he explains.‘Watching India lift the World Cup was special’Speaking about India’s recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup triumph, Prasidh says the win meant a lot to everyone connected with the game. “There was so much expectation because we have such a strong team. People felt we would win it comfortably. But in big tournaments, you are always challenged at some point. What impressed me was how the team handled those moments and came out on top. The current Indian squad’s depth and resilience allows them to bounce back even in tough situations,” he says.
