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As India gears up for the first Test against Sri Lanka starting August 15 in Galle, the pace attack selection has become a talking point, especially with Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of the entire series. Mohammed Siraj will lead the fast-bowling unit, but the question remains: who partners him?

The three contenders are Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, and Auqib Nabi. Nabi bowled just five overs in the warm-up game and is virtually out of contention. The real battle is between Krishna and Brar.

Prasidh Krishna brings valuable experience to the table. The Karnataka pacer has played seven Tests and taken 25 wickets. His ability to hit the deck hard and extract bounce makes him a steady presence. However, the major concern with Krishna has been his economy; he often leaks runs. In the warm-up match, he managed just one wicket in 16 overs and conceded nearly 70 runs across both innings, which is a worrying sign.

On the other hand, Gurnoor Brar is an exciting young prospect. He made his Test debut against Afghanistan in June and impressed with raw pace and the ability to generate extra bounce. Brar had a stellar outing for India A against Sri Lanka A, where he took 10 wickets in the second unofficial Test, including a sensational six-wicket haul in the second innings. His recent form makes him a strong contender.

However, given the high stakes of a Test series in spin-friendly Sri Lankan conditions, experience often trumps raw talent. Krishna's seniority, exposure to international cricket, and familiarity with pressure situations give him a slight edge over the uncapped-in-overseas-conditions Brar. He can deliver breakthroughs with the new ball and bowl long spells, something India will need from their second pacer.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill will have to weigh experience against form. While Brar has momentum, Krishna's Test pedigree makes him the safer choice to partner Siraj in Galle. Unless the team management decides to gamble on raw pace, Prasidh Krishna is likely to get the nod.