Prasidh Krishna. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Prasidh Krishna has been a proven performer in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has featured in 51 matches and picked up 49 wickets at an economy of 8.92. The Bangalore-born has been phenomenal in the international arena too and bagged 25 scalps in 14 ODIs at an economy of 8.29.
Prasidh took the 2022 season of the cash-rich league by storm with his stunning bowling displays. He was Rajasthan Royals’ strike force with the ball and bagged 19 scalps in 17 matches at an economy of 8.29. His exploits with the ball were instrumental in Sanju Samson & Co. reaching the finals of the T20 extravaganza.
However, Rajasthan have suffered a body blow ahead of the IPL 2023, as Prasidh has been ruled out of the marquee tournament due to a lumber stress fracture. The ace pacer will be undergoing surgery and might even miss the 2023 World Cup, which is scheduled to kick-start in September.
With the 27-year-old unavailable for the upcoming IPL season, Rajasthan might look to include quality pacers in their ranks who could fill his boots in the team. Let us look at the players who might come as an injury-replacement for Prasidh.
Here are five players who can replace Prasidh Krishna in Rajasthan’s squad
5. Vijaykumar Vyshak
Vijaykumar Vyshak. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Vijaykumar Vyshak is one of the exciting prospects in the Karnataka cricketing circles. He was simply magnificent in the 2022 season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and dismantled batting line-ups that came his way. The Karnataka pacer featured in eight matches and bagged 15 wickets at an economy of 6.31.
Vyshak made the ball talk at the start of the innings and provided Karnataka with early breakthroughs. He showed his bowling might in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy 2022-23 as well and picked up 31 wickets in eight matches for Karnataka at an average of 24.58.
Vyshak has shown a lot of promise in the domestic circuit and the potential to light up IPL 2023, And given the 26-year-old is in top form, Rajasthan Royals will look to add him to their arsenal for the forthcoming edition of the cash-rich league.
4. Vasuki Koushik
Vasuki Koushik. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Vasuki Koushik has been a consistent performer in the T20 circuit. He has featured in 20 List-A matches and bagged 37 scalps at a superb average of 14.81. Talking about the shortest format, the 30-year-old has picked up 40 wickets in 33 games at an economy of 7.59.
Koushik lit up the 2022 season of the Vijay Hazare Trophy with sensational performances. He was the wrecker-in-chief for Karnataka in the competition with 18 wickets to his name in nine games, that too at an exceptional economy of 2.70. The right-arm pacer also was sensational in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 and took 24 scalps in five matches at an average of 15.66.
Courtesy of his incredible performances of late, Koushik has become an integral part of Karnataka’s bowling set-up. Given his stocks are on an exponential rise, Rajasthan could ponder over acquiring his services for the upcoming season of the lucrative T20 tournament.
3. Varun Aaron
Varun Aaron. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Varun Aaron is a consistent performer in the Indian domestic circuit. He has featured in 63 first-class games and bagged 167 wickets at an average of 32.82. Talking about the List-A format, the 33-year-old has picked up 124 scalps in 78 matches at an economy of 5.46.
Aaron made his IPL debut in 2011 and has featured in most of the seasons since then. The Singhbhum-born has made a total of 52 appearances in the cash-rich league and picked up 44 wickets at an economy of 8.94. However, he was mediocre with the ball in the last season and could take just two scalps in as many games for Gujarat Titans, conceding runs at an economy of 10.40.
Though Aaron has not been at the peak of his powers in the recent past, he has proven his mettle in the IPL arena numerous times and knows what takes to thrive in high-pressure environments. Therefore, Rajasthan Royals might consider drafting the ace pacer into their side for the forthcoming season.
2. Dhawal Kulkarni
Dhawal Kulkarni. (Photo Source: twitter/mipaltan)
Dhawal Kulkarni has been a bankable name in the Indian domestic circuit. He has featured in 92 first-class games and bagged 274 wickets at an average of 27.24. Talking about the List-A format, the 34-year-old has picked up 223 scalps in 129 matches at an economy of 4.66.
Kulkarni has been in and around the lucrative T20 tournament since its very inception and has displayed his class on many occasions. Overall, he has featured in 92 IPL matches and taken 86 scalps at an economy of 8.31. The ace pacer was at his best in the 2016 season and bagged 18 wickets in 14 games at an economy of 7.42.
Though Kulkarni has not been able to replicate his exploits of the ninth IPL edition ever since, he is an experienced customer and can set the upcoming season on fire with his performances. Therefore, the Rajasthan franchise could look to add the Mumbai pacer to their repertoire.
1. Sandeep Sharma
Sandeep Sharma. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Sandeep Sharma has been a prominent figure in the Indian Premier League. The ace pacer has been associated with the marquee tournament since the 2013 season and has left the cricket fraternity in awe of his performances time and time again. He has picked up 114 wickets in 104 IPL games at an economy of 7.77.
Sandeep has made a name for himself for his exploits with the new ball. He has rattled batters with his swing and wreaked havoc with the ball. On his day, the ace pacer has ripped through even the top-quality batting line-ups and stamped his authority on the cricket field.
Sandeep has been a proven performer in the IPL arena and therefore, Rajasthan Royals could be inclined towards roping him into their side for the 16th IPL edition. Therefore, the right-arm pacer’s inclusion in the RR squad as an injury replacement for Prasidh seems to be on the cards.