The 28-year-old India National Cricket Team pacer Akash Deep has revealed that he was not looking to avoid follow-on while batting with Jasprit Bumrah in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Akash Deep said that his mindset was just to contribute as many runs as possible and ensure he does not get out without making valuable contributions for his team.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma to steal Shubman Gill’s No.3 spot? Ex-India coach offers suggestion to Gautam Gambhir
Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah helped India avoid the follow-on in the Gabba Test
The third Test of the five-match series between India and Australia was hosted by the Gabba in Brisbane. Australia piled up 445 runs on the board in the first innings, and in response, the Indian batters struggled to score.
Only KL Rahul (84) from the top order and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (77) showcased great batting and hit half-centuries. Jadeja got out in the 66th over when India were at 213/9. That was when Akash Deep came out to bat and the Aussies needed just one wicket to enforce the follow-on.
Akash and Bumrah, meanwhile, frustrated the Aussies with their batting and stitched up a 47-run partnership that helped India avoid follow-on with the rain around in Brisbane. As Akash hit a four off Pat Cummins to help India cross the follow-on score, the Indian dressing room erupted in wild celebrations.
When you save the match from such a situation, the entire team gets the confidence – Akash Deep
The Gabba Test ended in a draw, and the series currently stands at 1-1, with the next match set to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Ahead of the fourth Test, Akash Deep spoke to the reports and talked about his partnership with Jasprit Bumrah. He said:
“We come to bat lower down the order, so contributions of 20-25-30 runs are very valuable. My mindset is just to contribute. I wasn’t looking to save the follow-on that day; I was just looking not to get out. My mindset was this, God willing, we were able to save the follow-on.”
He further spoke about the dressing room celebrations and said that the players and coaches were just having fun. Akash said:
“When you save the match from such a situation, the entire team gets the confidence and our dressing room reflected just that. Everyone was having fun and enjoying.”
Jassi bhai keeps on telling us things about how we can go about our job – Akash Deep
Akash Deep is on his first Australia tour and the suggestions from the pace spearhead Burmah have been quite helpful for the Bengal speedster. He revealed that Bumrah told him to be disciplined with his lines and lengths and not get too excited.
“This is my first time playing in Australia. Jassi bhai keeps on telling us things about how we can go about our job; it makes our job easy.”
“He told me one thing, ‘Don’t get too excited. Just focus on your discipline. How you go about your job in Indian conditions, repeat that here.’ He told me just this,” added the 28-year-old.