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Mukesh Kumar Or Prasidh To Be Picked In Test Squad For SA Tour - Reports

image-lpkslbxeMukesh Kumar (Twitter)

Mukesh Kumar or Prasidh Krishna, who should be India's fifth pacer for the upcoming Test series in South Africa? Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his panel will be deliberating on this extensively in the build-up to the announcement of the squads to be picked on Thursday (November 30) for the marquee series versus the Proteas. 

With the first-choice pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj set alongside utility allrounder Shardul Thakur and the selection committee showing signs of moving past veterans Jaydev Unadkat and Umesh Yadav, only the fifth bowler's slot remains vacant for the two-match Test series starting December 26. 

It's a toss-up between Mukesh and Prasidh, the former of whom made an impressive Test match debut against the West Indies in July and is considered ripe for the red-ball grind owing to his great success as a right-arm quick for Bengal. The 30-year-old, who has played ten white-ball internationals for India, has 151 first-class scalps under his belt in 40 games at an average of 21.62. 

Mukesh has been earmarked for Test cricket by the selectors ever since the departure of stalwart Ishant Sharma from the set-up following sustained injury troubles with his near-similar ability to provide control and consistency. He boasts of a first-class economy rate of 2.69 and is known for bowling long spells. 


Mukesh Or Prasidh For South Africa Tests? 

As for uncapped Prasidh, the tall Karnataka right-arm seamer is considered an equally bright young pacer for Test match cricket but his injury historically has acted as a barrier to the speedster's selection. With his height, Prasidh could prove to be a vital cog on South African pitches but hasn't played any first-class cricket since March 2022. 

"It is understood that there could be a toss-up between Mukesh Kumar and Prasidh Krishna for the fifth pacer's spot in the Test team," stated a report in Times of India.


 "Prasidh had been identified as a replacement for Ishant Sharma but the injury-prone pacer has got few opportunities to cement his place in Tests. Mukesh's evolution has been particularly impressive and it could tilt things in his favour."

It is understood the selectors will also deliberate upon the option of recalling KL Rahul as a Test match wicketkeeper-batter after his impressive showings behind the stumps in the ICC World Cup 2023. The team management had tried both KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan in the role in incumbent Rishabh Pant's continuous absence but the duo didn't convince the decision-makers.