With uncertainty surrounding Mohammed Shami‘s availability for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series in Australia, former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has expressed his support for including Akash Deep in the visitors’ pace attack. Mhambrey, a former fast bowler himself, believes that Akash Deep is the type of pacer India needs for the series Down Under.
India will compete in five Tests in Australia as part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between November 2024 and January 2025. While Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj appear to be set for the trip, Shami’s status remains unclear following his Achilles tendon surgery in February.
In an interview with The Times of India, Mhambrey suggested Akash Deep as a strong option for the demanding tour, explaining his reasoning for this recommendation.
“Akash has done a lot of bowling in domestic cricket. He understands what needs to be done. He also relies a lot on seam movement. You need that kind of bowler in Australia who can nip it around off the seam.”
Had to move to Bengal (as ban on BCA)
At 23 was forced to take break for 3 years due to father suffered a paralytic attack
Lost his father & elder brother in 2 months time
Suffered a back injury that could have ended his career
Meet Akash Deep, Hero 👇🏽pic.twitter.com/PE5T2ikuaq
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) February 23, 2024
The 52-year-old emphasized that even if Shami is deemed fit for the Australia tour, neither he nor Bumrah will be able to play all five Tests. He noted that both senior bowlers will require rest at some stage during the lengthy series, highlighting the necessity for someone like Akash Deep in the squad. Mhambrey went on to explain further:
“We are lucky to have someone like Bumrah who loves to play Test cricket. But Bumrah and Shami need to be rested in the middle of a long series. That’s when the strategic selection comes into play.”
Akash Deep had a strong Test debut against England in Ranchi in February, taking three wickets in the first innings. He also secured two wickets in the first innings against Bangladesh in Chennai and claimed two of the three wickets that fell on Day 1 of the Kanpur Test.
“Dayal looks as someone who could hit the deck” –Mhambrey discusses the need for a left-arm seamer for the Australia tour
In addition to right-arm fast bowlers, India is looking to include at least one left-arm pacer for the tour of Australia. Candidates for this role include Yash Dayal, Khaleel Ahmed, and Arshdeep Singh.
11 to defend off 5 balls, you just bowled a full toss and conceded a 110M monster six to MS Dhoni.
What do you do? Maintain composure, pick Thala & concede only 1 run off the next 5 balls to take RCB to playoffs.
From conceding 36 off 6 to Rinku to this. Yash Dayal, take a bow! pic.twitter.com/8qjpYAMwCo
— Srini Mama (@SriniMaama16) May 18, 2024
Mhambrey informed the Times of India that Dayal appears to be the most suitable candidate to be selected at this time. The Mumbai legend elaborated:
“With Ashwin in the team and hopefully Kuldeep Yadav, a left-armer could be a strategic pick to create rough outside the off-stump. I feel Arshdeep maybe needs a bit more time to grow with the red ball but Dayal looks as someone who could hit the deck.”
“First things first, you need bowlers who can hit the deck hard and derive seam movement in Australia. The Kookaburra balls are best to bowl within the first 30 overs. After that the conditions become very flat,” Mhambrey added.
Dayal has played 24 first-class matches, taking 76 wickets at an average of 28.89, including one five-wicket haul.
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