Team India pacer Akash Deep has dismissed injury concerns for skipper Rohit Sharma ahead of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test in Melbourne, starting on Boxing Day (December 26).
Rohit sustained a knee blow during training at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). While he continued batting, he later required physio attention, had an ice pack applied to his knee, and rested his leg on a chair. Akash reassured that such injuries are common and mentioned that the wicket was challenging for batting.
“Such injuries are quite common when you play cricket and it doesn’t make much of a difference,” Akash told reporters via Hindustan Times.
“I think this was a wicket for white-ball cricket, so the ball kept a bit low and it was a bit difficult to bat on. But such blows happen and it’s not a concern,” he added.
Rohit Sharma, who skipped the first Test due to personal reasons, has been out of form with the bat, scoring just 19 runs in three innings this series. This year, he averages only 26.39 across 24 innings, with a total of 607 runs, including two centuries and two fifties.
“Despite trailing in the last match, we gained confidence”- Akash Deep ahead of Melbourne Test
The five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy is finely balanced at 1-1 after three Tests. India dominated the first Test with a 295-run win, but Australia bounced back with a 10-wicket victory in the Adelaide day-night Test. The third Test ended in a rain-affected draw after a resilient effort from India.
Akash Deep emphasized the significance of the Melbourne Test for both teams in deciding the series.
“It’s 50-50 right now. In the last match, even though we were behind, we built some confidence. This Test match will be very important for both teams,” Akash said (as per the aforementioned source).
“Our mindset as fast bowlers is that we can get some quick wickets with the new ball and cause problems for them. We have seen in the three matches that we can create chances with the new ball. After 30 overs, however, you have to wait for the batsmen to make mistakes,” he added.
India, having won the last two Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, aim to retain the title this time too.
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