India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel said Prasidh Krishna has the potential to be a world-class bowler in all three formats of the game for a long time. Krishna accounted for Sri Lankan opener Lahiru Udara at the fag end of the second day’s play.

The lanky pacer gave an early breakthrough to the visitors on the third day’s play, dismissing debutant Kamil Mishara with a short-pitch delivery. The Karnataka bowler then got rid of Kamindu Mendis with another short delivery.

At the end of the day’s play, Krishna had figures of 3-47 in 14 overs he bowled.

“It just shows the character of Prasidh; he has the media and commentators on his back, to fight through that and to bowl in the moment, that for me is very impressive. In an environment where you are under the microscope, every movement gets analysed, and sometimes you try and fight those elements. I think Prasidh now is just enjoying his cricket and loves bowling,” Morkel said in the post-day press conference.

The former South African pacer said Krishna is reaping rewards for putting in the hard yards.

Morkel said: “The results are showing. He works hard, does his research on the opposition. He is a massive student of the game and it is great to see him develop into a world class bowler. In all formats, he has the potential to play for a very long time.”

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan lower order was able to show resistance with Lahiru Kumara supporting in-form Sonal Dinusha at the fag end of the third day’s play, helping the hosts finish at 265-8.

Morkel concluded, “Sometimes we think the pitch looks nice and dry, and we need to bowl teams out for 180, 200. Unfortunately at times, it is not going to work like that. These are tough conditions and the ball goes soft quickly. The follow-on, that will be the first prize if we can get the last two wickets early. With the weather being the way it is, we need to get in as many overs against the Sri Lankans.”

Sri Lanka are still trailing by 238 runs.