In a disappointing development for Indian cricket fans ahead of the final Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Akash Deep suffered an injury. The pace bowler has injured his back and will not be available for selection in the SCG Test match.
Akash Deep was one of four pace bowlers selected by India in their Boxing Day Test squad. Although Deep could not make the same impact as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, he played the second role of the pacer to perfection.
Deep was included in the squad 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 see the three reasons why Deep’s exclusion from the fifth Test of BGT 2024-25 is a huge blow for the Indian team.
#1 Akash Deep had Alex Carey’s number on BGT 2024-25
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey has been one of the most impressive batters for Australia in the ongoing 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. It eliminates class and builds meaningful partnerships with tailgaters. Notably, Carey has amassed 195 runs at a strike rate of over 70 in this series.
Akash Deep was picked in India’s XI for the third and fourth Tests and dismissed Carey in both matches. The Indian team will miss the services of Deep when the Australian wicketkeeper steps out to bat in the SCG Test.
#2 Akash Deep was a solid pick in the lower order
One of the major reasons why India are trailing 1-2 and not 1-3 in the series against Australia is Akash Deep’s knock. The fast bowler chipped in with a crucial 44-ball 31 while batting at number 11 in the first innings of the Gabba Test match.
Deep’s 31-run knock ensured India avoided the 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 abilities.
#3 Akas Dip created many chances with the ball
Even though Deep took only five wickets in the two Test matches he played against Australia in BGT 2024-25, the pacer was very unlucky. He could easily have taken five more wickets if some of the close deliveries had taken the edge of the bat or knocked down the stumps.
Deep built pressure on the opposition with the pace of the bowling. His likely replacement, Prasidh Krishna, conceded runs of more than four runs per over in his first Test series against South Africa on pace-friendly South African wickets in 2023/24.
Even Harshit Rana could not execute his plans to perfection when he played in the pink ball Test against Australia. Rana or Krishna’s economy rates could be an area of ​​concern for India in the Sydney Test. So Deep’s injury will be a huge blow to the team.
Edited by Arshit Garg
