Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Dale Steyn questioned Gujarat Titans (GT) pacer Prasidh Krishna’s late introduction into the bowling attack in the IPL 2026 clash against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur on March 31. Defending a below-par 162, GT waited until the 13th over when PBKS needed only 53 runs to introduce last year’s Purple Cap winner.

Prasidh immediately struck, with three wickets in his first two overs, to provide GT with a hope of pulling off a miraculous win. However, PBKS eventually completed the victory with five balls to spare despite losing seven wickets.

Talking about the move to bowl Prasidh only in the second half of the innings, Steyn said on ESPN Cricinfo (12:05):

“They got their wickets with him in the end, but they left it too late. You are always figuring your team in the first two games. So they found themselves with one batter short and one bowler too many. When that’s the case, somebody gets under-bowled or bowled too late, like Prasidh here. When he picks up three wickets in his first two overs, you start to wish you used him earlier. Siraj also bowled only two overs, which tells you they’ve too many options and are spoilt for choice.”

He added:

“You want to get a feel of the game, if you are Prasidh. It’s so difficult to sit on the bench and then suddenly be tasked with making something happen. So for him to be able to do that and pick up a bunch of wickets was impressive. But you want to be able to be in the game earlier, get an over under the belt, and be a little bit sweaty. Feel the game and the energy of the game to get the best out of players. To wait so long also puts pressure on the player.”

Prasidh was GT’s start bowler a season ago, picking up 25 wickets in 15 matches. He finished the PBKS clash with outstanding figures of 3/29 in four overs despite GT’s defeat.

“There was one bowler too many on that GT side” – Ambati Rayudu

Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu believes GT carried one bowler too many in their playing side, resulting in Prasidh Krishna’s under-utilization in the first half of the second innings, against PBKS. Shubman Gill’s side had four frontline pacers and two spinners in their fielding innings, excluding the part-time option of Glenn Phillips.

“They have designated him to be a death bowler and someone who will pick up wickets under pressure. But there was one bowler too many in that GT side. When you have too many options, you always under bowl one bowler. Prasidh should have definitely bowled one over in the powerplay or at least between the 7th and 10th overs to pick up a wicket. If the target was 170 or 180, this ploy was fine. But with 160, he should have definitely bowled earlier,” said Rayudu (via the aforementioned source).

It remains to be seen if GT change their bowling plans and overall lineup in their second game against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 4.