“That was the plan”: Prasidh Krishna reveals why he sledged Joe Root at The Oval

After Day 2 of IND vs ENG 5th Test, Prasidh Krishna revealed the reason behind his animated chatter with Joe Root

India cricket team pacer Prasidh Krishna revealed that he was surprised by Joe Root’s reaction to his sledging on Day 2 of IND vs ENG 5th Test. In an unusual sight, England’s leading run-getter was involved in a heated exchange with the fast bowler and KL Rahul. After the day’s play, Krishna admitted that he did not expect “a couple of words” from him to lead to such a reaction from Root.

Krishna reveals why he sledged Root

Speaking at the press conference after Day 2 of IND vs ENG 5th Test, Krishna said that he likes to have a chatter with the batter when he is bowling. The pacer said that while chirping at Joe Root was a part of his plan, he was surprised that a couple of words to the England batter evoked such an angry response. However, Krishna acknowledged that Root was a legend of the game and dubbed the episode between them as just two players wanting to be the best.

“That was the plan, but I didn’t expect the couple of words I said to get such a big reaction from him. That’s just who I am when I’m bowling, when I’m enjoying. If it means that I have a bit of a chatter with the batter… and it does help me when I can get under the nerves of the batsman and get a reaction from them. But I love the guy that he is. He is a legend of the game and I think it is great when two people are out there wanting to do the best and be a winner at a given moment,” Krishna said.

With India trailing in the contest, the bowlers used all their tricks in London on Friday. Krishna bowled a jaffa to Root and later chirped at the England superstar. The next ball Root cut him for a boundary, while chatting animatedly in the middle of the pitch.

Eventually, umpires Ahsan Raza and Kumar Dharmasena had to step in to de-escalate the situation. That did not sit well with KL Rahul, who argued with Dharmasena.