In a disappointing development for Indian cricket fans ahead of the final Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Akash Deep has 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 selected by India in their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test. Although Deep could not achieve the same effect as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, he played the role of a supporting pacer perfectly.
Deep made the playing XI for the Brisbane Test, replacing Harshit Rana. He took five wickets in two matches and his best figure is 2/28. Now in this list we will look at three reasons why the exclusion of Deep from the fifth test of BGT 2024-25 is a big blow for Team India.
Number 1 Akash Deep had Alex Carey’s number in BGT 2024-25
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey has been one of the most impressive batsmen for Australia in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. He disrupts order and builds important partnerships with followers. Namely, in this series, Carey collected 195 runs with a strike rate of more than 70.
Akash Deep was selected in the Indian XI for the third and fourth Tests, and in both matches he dismissed Carey. The Indian team will miss Deep’s services when the Australian wicket-keeper 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 are trailing 1-2 and not 1-3 in the series against Australia is Akash Deep’s knock. The fast bowler scored a crucial 44-ball 31 while batting at number 11 in the first innings of the Gabba Test match.
A 31-run knock from Deep 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 replace Deep. Neither of the two pacers can match Deep’s batting skills.
#3 Akash Deep created many chances 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 unlucky. He could easily have taken five more wickets if some of the close deliveries had taken the edge of the bat or brought down the stumps.
Deep built pressure on the opposition team with his pace bowling. His likely replacement, Prasidh Krishna, conceded runs at more than four runs per over in his debut Test series against South Africa on 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. The economy rates of Rana or Krishna could be an area of concern for India in the Sydney Test. So the injury to Deep will be a big blow to the team.
Edited by Arshit Garg
