'X factor' Prasidh Krishna finds support from World Cup winners: 'Easy to write people off when they have bad days'

Irfan Pathan, another World Cup winner, too was quick to pat Prasidh amidst the constant criticism. "This is exactly Why i was backing Prasidh Krishna to play. He has that X factor. 3 crucial wickets. Well done," he wrote on the same social media platform.

Prasidh did most of the damage in his second spell, which was after he was taken to the cleaners by Quinton de Kock in his initial overs. De Kock, who hit 106 off 89 balls, was severe on Prasidh as he pummeled him for 6, 6, 4 in his second over to milk 18 runs.

However, he appeared completely different in his returning spell, which began by him getting rid of Matthew Breetzkle, who was trapped plumb in front with a straight one. Four balls later Aiden Markram was sent back to the pavilion as the centurion from the previous match uppishly chipped a fuller delivery to Virat Kohli at short covers, who had no problems collecting it.

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Prasidh also had the final laugh in the same spell as he soon castled De Kock, whose ugly cross-batted swipe failed to connect a full length delivery from the pacer. Those three lethal blows in the space of three overs helped India reduce South Africa to a shaky 199/5 for five.

Once Prasidh was done away with the top and middle-order, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep (4/41) took over and mopped up the tail as South Africa fell short of even a par total on this track.

Prasidh registered four scalps in the innings while conceding 66 runs in the 9.5 overs he bowled.