R Ashwin Reveals Virat Kohli's Advice To Akash Deep Backfired In BGT 2024-25
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin revealed how one of Virat Kohli's pieces of advice to pacer Akash Deep backfired against them only in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Akash Deep made his debut in the third Test in Gabba against Australia, bowled brilliantly in 29.5 overs. India lost the second match in Adelaide, where Harshit Rana failed to pick a wicket and was dropped from the playing XI. Ashwin also said that Kohli didn't understand Akash and wasn't able to help him; however, the strategy he made turned out to be against him. After that, Steve Smith scored his century, scoring 101 runs off 190 balls.
Ravichandran Ashwin said,
"Akash Deep was bowling a fabulous spell at the Gabba. He was probably bowling his best, but Bumrah wasn't. He was going through a wonderful spell of 3-4 overs. I was watching the game from outside. I saw Virat run up to him and say, 'Seedha daalo yaar, seedha daalo' (bowl straight!). Immediately, out came a fielder, and he went to leg gully. Aakash Deep bowled on the body and a couple of balls on the leg side; he got flicked and pulled. His rhythm went away."
Further, he said that if you don't understand a bowler than this is what happens but when you understand a bowler you'll be able to know what he's going through a good spell.
"In Virat's head, he thought that was uncomfortable for him, so if you do that against Smith, you will get him out. If you don't understand a bowler, this is what happens. But if you understand a bowler, you know he's going through a good spell; allow him to build on that spell."
India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia 3-1. After the poor performances of the players, the BCCI set up new guidelines for every player. They suggested that players should play domestic cricket whenever they get time.
Many international cricketers made their comeback in the Ranji Trophy after almost many years. Currently, the Delhi and Railways match is going on at the Arun Jaitley Stadium; more than 16,000 people came to witness Kohli on the ground. However, everyone's expectations got ruined on Day 2 after Kohli was dismissed for 6 runs by Himanshu Sangwan.