KL Rahul Unhappy with Prasidh Krishna’s Bowling After India Lose 2nd ODI vs South Africa
Prasidh Krishna
India captain KL Rahul expressed disappointment with Prasidh Krishna’s bowling during the second ODI in Raipur, where India failed to defend 358 despite a strong batting show.
Raipur, December 04, 2025 – India’s defeat in the second ODI against South Africa has stirred debate around the team’s bowling performance, especially after captain KL Rahul openly expressed frustration with pacer Prasidh Krishna. India put up an impressive total of 358, a score that should have been enough to challenge any opposition, but the bowlers were unable to defend it. South Africa chased comfortably, capitalising on loose deliveries, poor execution and fielding lapses from the Indian side.
Reports from the ground revealed that Rahul repeatedly instructed Krishna to stick to the plan, urging him not to overthink and to simply bowl according to the strategy discussed. The captain’s tone and body language made it clear that he was unhappy with the pacer straying from the planned line and length. With South Africa gaining momentum through boundaries at crucial stages, every misstep by the bowlers magnified the pressure on the team.
The dew in Raipur made conditions challenging, but Rahul did not allow that to become an excuse. He pointed out that discipline in execution is essential, especially when defending a big total. Analysts echoed his view, noting that while Krishna has pace and potential, consistency has become a recurring issue. Conceding over ten runs an over proved costly and allowed the South African innings to progress without significant pressure.
The loss has raised questions about the depth and readiness of India’s pace attack. While the batting lineup delivered superbly, the bowlers struggled to maintain control. Several fans and former players pointed out that modern ODI cricket demands bowlers who can adapt quickly, especially under lights when the ball becomes harder to grip. India’s inability to hold their nerve suggests the need for sharper planning and better execution in the death overs.
Rahul also hinted that the team could have approached several overs differently and that mistakes from both bowlers and fielders contributed to the collapse. A few misfields and an overthrow added unnecessary runs, further pushing the match away from India. With the series now open, the pressure is on the bowling unit to bounce back decisively in the next match.
For Krishna, the criticism may serve as a tough but necessary reminder of expectations at the international level. His raw pace has earned him opportunities, but the spotlight now shifts to his control and temperament under pressure. How he responds in the following games will be closely watched, not just by team management but also by fans hoping for a more balanced performance.
India’s defeat, despite scoring 358, stands as a reminder that ODI cricket demands all three departments to work in sync. Batting alone cannot carry the team when bowling discipline collapses. As the final match approaches, the team knows the margin for error has narrowed and improvements are essential if India wants to close the series on a positive note.
