The process for picking India’s ODI teams is no longer much of a subject of discussion – it seems like there is an established format for the selection of players in this format, roles have been assigned to each player, and a hierarchy has developed among these players. Yet as the three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand gets underway on January 11th, one name hangs in limbo, that being the ODI team member from India who will be selected by the selectors before the start of the first game, Prasidh Krishna. He isn’t hurt. He hasn’t been left out. It simply appears that he is waiting on a decision regarding his inclusion or exclusion.
A Series Made for Low-Risk Experimentation
On paper, these New Zealand ODIs carry minimal narrative weight. No trophy. No qualification pressures. No existential threat to India’s white-ball standing. That’s precisely why they matter.
Twenty-nine-year-old Prasidh Krishna has had a very intermittent ODI career; he is one of the many players who have yet to get into an uninterrupted run, as fast bowlers must establish rhythm and judgement. On the other hand, Siraj has been playing almost fifty ODIs since 2022. Arshdeep and Harshit have also become part of India’s T20I set-up and have established themselves as regulars in India’s ODI team.
Prasidh’s recent three-ODI outing against South Africa in late 2025 was underwhelming, but that’s the point. Consistency doesn’t emerge from isolated appearances. It comes from repetition, mistakes, and correction.
An ODI Skillset India Rarely Produces
Indian fast bowlers traditionally dominate either upfront or at the death. Very few threaten through the middle overs, the phase where ODIs are often decided quietly. Prasidh Krishna is different.
With his steep bounce, back-of-a-length accuracy, sharp bouncer, and reliable yorker, he offers something most Indian seamers don’t: a wicket-taking threat across all 50 overs. Outside of Jasprit Bumrah, that versatility is rare.
The evidence already exists. In the final ODI against South Africa, Prasidh ripped through the middle order with four pivotal wickets, shifting momentum when batters were set and cruising. But such an impact only becomes repeatable with trust. Playing him in all three ODIs, making it six consecutive games, is how India converts potential into pattern.
A Quiet Bridge Between Two World Cups
This is where the logic turns strategic.
Siraj’s workload over the last 12 months across formats makes rotation inevitable. Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh are central to India’s T20 World Cup plans, with a five-match T20I series against New Zealand looming. Neither will be risked across all ODIs.
But the 2027 ODI World Cup is also scheduled to take place in South Africa, an environment where bounce, seam, and hit-the-deck pace are ideal for bowlers of Prasidh’s type. Prasidh has the natural bowling length, can rush batsmen, and get rise from the deck, all traits that could make him a major threat in such a setting.
Thus, if India wants to have him ready for that environment, he needs to start playing in games that allow him to learn without consequence. Development does not occur in marquee finals; it occurs in unheralded bilateral series such as this one.
Key Takeaway
Prasidh Krishna doesn’t need protection; he needs continuity.
FAQs
- What makes Prasidh Krishna different from other Indian pacers?
His ability to take wickets in the middle overs with bounce, pace, and varied lengths.
- Why is the IND vs NZ 2026 ODI series ideal for him?
Low stakes, minimal pressure, and maximum opportunity for uninterrupted game time.
- How does this series connect to the 2027 ODI World Cup?
South African conditions suit Prasidh’s bowling style, making early investment crucial.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
Step into the world of cricket with JeetBuzz News—where expert opinions, trending Blogs, and behind-the-scenes insights meet all your favorite topics. Stay informed, stay entertained, and never miss the stories shaping the cricketing world—only on JeetBuzz News!
