R Ashwin claimed Virat Kohli's advice led to Akash Deep losing rhythm
Photo : AP
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- R Ashwin recalled an incident from the 2024-25 BGT
- Ashwin retired after the third Test at Gabba
- Ashwin played in only one match
Recalling an instance from the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), Ravichandran Ashwin blamed an advice from Virat Kohli for Akash Deep losing rhythm following a brilliant spell of bowling during the third Test of the India-Australia series at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Ashwin claimed that Deep was bowling at his best and troubling the batters but he spotted Kohli approaching and asking him to change his lines. The former Indian spinner claimed it was a case of the ex-Indian skipper thinking from the lens of a batter on what could trouble Steve Smith. Ashwin claimed that the plan backfired as he was hit for boundaries leading to the pacer losing his rhythm.
"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," said Ashwin at the Amazon Web Services (AWS) AI Conclave in Bengaluru in an interaction with Harsha Bhogle.
"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," Ashwin added.
For those unversed, Smith overcame a barren run of form and hit a century in the first innings of the Gabba Test as Australia posted a huge score of 445. Travis Head also made a ton. Akash Deep took only one wicket in the innings despite bowling 29.5 overs while conceding 95 runs.
Akash Deep played two matches in the series, and while he was a constant threat to the Australian batters, luck deserted him. The 28-year-old took just five wickets in two matches (four innings) at an average of 54. He missed the fifth Test at Sydney due to a back injury.
Ashwin was benched for the Gabba Test and announced his retirement from international cricket minutes after the match ended. The Indian cricket legend did not feature in India's playing XI in the series opener at Perth. The 38-year-old was named in the line-up for the pink-ball Test at Adelaide and that proved to be his final appearence for the national team.
Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Cricket, Sports and around the world.
