In a challenging day at SuperSport Park, India's pace bowling unit, led by debutant Prasidh Krishna and all-rounder Shardul Thakur, faced a tough test against South Africa. The opposition amassed 39 boundaries in 66 overs, with a significant chunk coming from the duo, prompting questions about India's fast-bowling depth beyond the established trio of Bumrah, Siraj, and the injured Shami.

Dean Elgar, typically a resilient batter, took advantage of loose deliveries from Prasidh and Thakur, propelling South Africa to 256 runs in 66 overs. Elgar's unconventional aggression, especially against the inexperienced pair, highlighted the challenges faced by the Indian bowlers on the day.

Prasidh, in his debut Test, showed moments of promise but lacked the experience to consistently trouble the batsmen. On the other hand, Thakur, in his tenth Test, demonstrated his wicket-taking ability but also conceded runs, a trait consistent with his overall first-class record.

As India contemplates its pace bowling future, it becomes evident that beyond the established trio, options are limited. Thakur, a valuable fourth seamer, is not likely to lead the attack, and Mukesh Kumar, a swing exponent, is a work in progress at 30. Building a formidable pace battery around promising talents like Prasidh, Mukesh, Akash Deep, Avesh Khan, and Vidwath Kaverappa will be crucial for India's sustained success in Test cricket, particularly in overseas conditions.

While one challenging day may not define the trajectory of Prasidh and India's fast-bowling future, it highlights the need for a robust backup plan to maintain the team's potency in the longer format. The upcoming days will provide insights into how Prasidh copes with the demands of Test cricket, offering a glimpse into India's evolving pace bowling dynamics.