In a disappointing development for Indian cricket fans ahead of the Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy final series, Akash Deep suffered an injury. The bowler injured his back and will not be available for selection in the SCG Test match.
Akash Deep was one of four bowlers picked by India in their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test. Although Deep couldn’t make the same impact as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, he played the role of a companion to perfection.
Deep came into the playing XI for the Brisbane Test, replacing Harshit Rana. He took five wickets in two matches, his best figures being 2/28. In this list now, we will look at the three reasons why Deep’s exclusion from the 5th Test of BGT 2024-25 is a big blow for Team India.
#1 Akash Deep had Alex Carey’s number in BGT 2024-25
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey has been one of Australia’s most impressive batsmen in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 series. He reduces the order and builds important partnerships with the latter. Notably, Carey has amassed 195 runs at a strike rate of over 70 in this series.
Akash Deep was selected in India’s XI for the third and fourth Tests, dismissing Carey in both matches. The Indian team will miss Deep’s services when the Australian wicketkeeper comes out to bat in the SCG Test.
#2 Akash Deep was a solid option in the lower order
One of the main reasons why India is losing 1-2 and not 1-3 in the series against Australia is Akash Deep’s batting. The fast bowler contributed a crucial 31 off 44 balls while batting at number 11 in the first innings of the Gabba Test match.
Deep’s 31-run knock ensured India avoided a follow-on and thus left Australia with no chance of winning the Test by an innings. India have the options of Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna to replace Deep. Neither pacer can match Deep’s batting skills.
#3 Akash Deep created many opportunities with the ball
Although Deep scalped just five wickets in the two Test matches he played against Australia in BGT 2024-25, the pacer was very unlucky. He could have easily taken five more wickets if some of the close deliveries had taken the edge of the bat or knocked off the stumps.
A deep pressure placed on the opposing team with his pace bowling. His likely replacement, Prasidh Krishna, conceded runs at more than four runs per over in his first Test series against South Africa on the pace-friendly South African wickets in 2023/24.
Even Harshit Rana couldn’t execute his plans perfectly when he played in the pink ball Test against Australia. Rana or Krishna’s economic rates could be a cause of concern for India in the Sydney Test. Thus, Deep’s injury will be a hard blow for the team.
Edited by Arshit Garg.