Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shared how Virat Kohli’s advice to pacer Akash Deep during the Brisbane Test of the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy didn’t go as planned. Making his debut in Australia, Akash Deep replaced Harshit Rana, who had played the first two Tests.
Despite delivering some impressive spells, Akash Deep ended with underwhelming figures of 1/95 in 29.5 overs during the first innings, as Australia capitalized on centuries from Steve Smith and Travis Head to post a formidable total of 445.
Speaking at the AWS AI Conclave 2025 in Bengaluru, Ashwin highlighted the significance of understanding a bowler, using Kohli’s misfired advice to Akash Deep as an example.
“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 awry,” he said [quoted by News18].
Ashwin further added:
“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.”
Akash Deep Unlikely to Play Another Test After Struggles in Australia: R Ashwin
Ashwin criticized India’s bias toward batters, saying it hinders their dominance like Australia. He felt Akash Deep might be dropped after one poor tour, unlike batters who get more chances.
“It is an unfair world. The batters get cocooned, but the bowlers don’t. You will find Akash Deep not playing another Test because he didn’t get enough wickets in Australia.”
“But you will never find another batter who hasn’t made enough runs not playing another game for India. That’s exactly why Australia is a dominant force in world cricket and Indians aren’t,” said Ashwin [quoted by Hindustan Times].
Akash Deep took 5 wickets at 54 in 2 of 5 Tests as India lost the BGT 1-3, their first defeat since 2014-15.
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