India pacer Akash Deep has addressed Australia star Travis Head‘s vulnerability to short-pitched deliveries ahead of the crucial fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series in Melbourne, starting December 26. Head, a consistent thorn in India’s side over the last two years, has delivered match-winning performances across formats.
In the ongoing series, the 30-year-old has been exceptional, leading the scoring charts with 409 runs in three Tests at an average of nearly 82 and a strike rate of 94.23, including two centuries and a half-century. Ahead of the Boxing Day Test, Akash Deep told reporters (via News18):
“As fast bowlers, we will stick to the same deliveries and maintain discipline in our bowling. We will bowl from both over and around the wicket, assess the pitch and conditions, and plan accordingly.”
”I think Travis Head, in particular, struggles against short balls. We won’t let him settle at the crease. We’ll target specific areas and hope to force him into mistakes, which will create chances for us.”
Akash Deep missed the opening two Tests but replaced Harshit Rana in the XI for the Brisbane Test. Despite a tough first innings with figures of 1/95, the 28-year-old bounced back in the second innings, taking 2/28 in the drawn match. His most significant impact, however, came with the bat, where his 31 off 44 balls at No.11 helped India avoid the follow-on.
“Sometimes you feel you’re bowling well”- Akash Deep
Akash Deep admitted to the challenges of adapting to Australian conditions after playing all his cricket in India. The Bengal pacer had played five home Tests before his first away match in Brisbane.
“It is a bit difficult. I have played most of my cricket in India. We can bowl shorter lengths there, but here it is a bit of a challenge. Whatever the conditions or wickets are, as a fast bowler, you need to maintain discipline,” Akash Deep said in the same interview.
The pacer has made a strong start to his Test career, claiming 13 wickets in six matches at an average of 29.30. Akash Deep also has an outstanding first-class record, with 126 wickets in 37 games at an average of 23.41, featuring five five-wicket hauls.
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