Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin feels pacer Akash Deep will find it hard to get back into the Test side in the near future. Ashwin, who retired last month during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, explained how bowlers don’t get enough backing in India, whereas in Australia things are different. Speaking at AWS AI Conclave 2025 in Bengaluru, Ashwin explained why India is far behind Australia as a cricketing powerhouse. Ashwin rued over the fact that bowlers tend to get sidelined after a few bad outings, unlike the batters; who don’t get the same treatment. 

“It is an unfair world. The batters get cocooned, but the bowlers don’t. You will find Akash Deep not playing another Test match because he didn’t get enough wickets in Australia. But you will never find another batter who hasn’t made enough runs not playing another game for India. That’s exactly why Australia is a dominant force in world cricket and Indians aren’t,” said Ashwin.

On the contrary, Ashwin explained why Australia are far ahead of India in terms of recognising their strengths, which is the main reason why they always manage to perform at big events.

“Even though we have everything, I still think Australia are a dominant force because they know where their roots are and they know bowlers are their main guys who will win Test matches and tournaments. The day we get there, bowlers will start consuming data way better than they do,” he added.

Ashwin pulled down the curtains on his illustrious Test career after taking 537 wickets in 106 Test matches. He also registered 156 ODI wickets in 116 matches and 72 wickets in 65 T20I appearances.

Talking about his final Test appearance, Ashwin played the day-night Test in Adelaide and picked up one wicket.

India pacer Akash Deep missed the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 and has now revealed the length of his injury and his recovery process. Having taken five wickets in two games, Akash Deep had to be ruled out of the final game in Sydney due to a stiff back injury. The 28-year-old pacer has now revealed that he is yet to start bowling, having been previously advised a specific recovery period by the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Speaking in the aftermath of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Akash Deep provided an update on his fitness.

“All good. My recovery is on course and since I had been playing non-stop cricket for a considerable period of time, I was advised to off-load (complete rest) for 15 days. I am following the advice of NCA and once they instruct me to start bowling, I will do so,” the pacer told PTI.

While Akash Deep did not light up the wickets’ column, he could’ve certainly been described as a tad unlucky to not have picked up more wickets during his two Tests in the tour.

He also played a big part with the bat in hand in the third Test in Brisbane. Coming in to bat with India at 213/9 and still needing a fair few runs to save a follow-on, Akash Deep smashed 31 off 44 balls, stitching a 47-run partnership for the 10th wicket with Jasprit Bumrah.

His knock helped India avoid the follow on and thereby save the Gabba Test.

Deep also shared light on his bowling strategy.

“My endeavour was to maintain discipline, bowl in good areas, and wait for the batter to make a mistake…doesn’t matter if the ball is new, semi-new or old,” he said.

With swinging and seaming conditions in England, Akash Deep is a likely candidate for India’s five-Test tour in June 2025.

India pacer Akash Deep was on Thursday ruled out of the the fifth and final Test against Australia starting here on Friday owing to a stiff back. Akash had taken five wickets from two Tests in Brisbane and Melbourne so far. He was a bit unlucky to not get more as multiple catches were dropped off his bowling during the two games. “Akash Deep is out with back issue,” India coach Gautam Gambhir said in the pre-match press conference in Sydney.

Gambhir said the playing XI would be decided after taking a look at the pitch.

The 28-year-old right-arm pacer bowled a total of 87.5 overs across two Test matches and his niggle could be a result of the heavier than usual workload he has endured.

The hard Australian grounds can cause knee, ankle and back issues for pacers.

Either Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna could make it to the eleven in place of Akash.

India trail 1-2 in the five-match series and need to win the fifth and final game to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India captain Rohit Sharma was not happy with pacer Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep as Australia’s tail frustrated them on Day 4 of the 4th Test in Melbourne on Sunday. Rohit was seen having an intense discussion with the team during a drinks break, and let his frustration known to the likes of Siraj and Akash. Australia were 91/6 at one stage, before Pat Cummins led a strong rearguard from the tail. As a result, Rohit lashed out at the duo as Australia extended their lead to 333.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who was on commentary duty, tried to decode what Rohit could might have said to his players. A video of the same had gone viral on social media.

“Have a look at Rohit Sharma here, this is the drinks break, before the tea interval. It looks like that was directed at Akash Deep as well, maybe Siraj. That was just after Bumrah was about to finish his spell. He is singling out the next guy, ‘Right now, it’s your turn, don’t sit back and hide behind Bumrah, I need you to stand up and got the job done as well.’ very animated,” Ponting said while trying to decode Rohit’s words.

“Don’t sit back and hide behind bumrah- I need you to stand up and get the job done as well.” GREATEST CAPTAIN THE WORLD HAS EVER SEENpic.twitter.com/C0bfJgvytb

— Kuljot (@Ro45Kuljot) December 29, 2024

Jasprit Bumrah was once again the standout bowler as he scythed through the middle order on day four in Melbourne to record figures of 4-56 off 24 overs.

The conditions were exploited brilliantly by Bumrah, who continued his dominance across a series in which he has claimed 29 wickets.

The 31-year-old powered past 200 Test victims and he boasts the lowest average at 19.45 of all 85 bowlers to have reached that milestone.

Siraj also took 3-66 while Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar bagged a wicket each.

Both India are Australia are fighting for a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.

South Africa have already booked their spot after beating Pakistan by 2 wickets in the 1st Test in Centurion on Sunday.

(With AFP Inputs)

India are all set to face Australia in the highly-anticipated Boxing Day Test from Thursday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This will be the fourth Test of the five-match Border-Gavaskar series, which is currently levelled 1-1. India won the opening game by a whopping total of 295 runs in Perth but the hosts bounced back in style in the second match and won by 10 wickets. However, the third match ended in a draw, due to rain in Brisbane. Both the teams are now eager to taken a crucial lead in the series.

Ahead of the fourth Test, veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has suggested that Rohit Sharma and co should opt for an extra pacer, in order to strengthen the bowling attack. 

“I think the bowling lineup is something which India needs to work on. I feel that (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Siraj and Akash Deep, they are doing a good job. (Ravindra) Jadeja and Nitish (Reddy) both have contributed well with the bat,” said Pujara while speaking to ESPNcricinfo. 

“But we are lacking one bowler and India will have to add another bowler if possible and maybe try and reduce a batter. I don’t know. I’m unable to find the right 11 at the moment because I don’t see a lot of changes going into the next Test match,” he added. 

As far as India’s bowling is concerned, Bumrah has been a standout performer for the visitors, taking 21 wickets in three matches. This includes five-wicket hauls and a four-wicket haul. 

Mohammed Siraj has also been a good performer with 13 wickets in three matches. However, the young Harshit Rana did not deliver as per the expectations as he took only four wickets in two matches. 

On the other hand, Akash Deep got only one game, where he scalped three wickets. It is highly likely that he will retain his place in the fourth Test. All-rounder Nitish Reddy impressed everyone with the bat but took only three wickets in as many matches. 

The row between Indian players and media and Australian media over Indian players answering questions only in Hindi and to Indian media has escalated significantly, and it all started when all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja did not take any questions in English in an on-field press conference on Saturday. Jadeja had reportedly arrived late to the questioning session, and left without taking a question in English. However, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has jumped to Jadeja’s defence, stating that there shouldn’t be a problem if a player chooses to answer only in Hindi.

“What’s wrong if the player wants to give an interview in Hindi?” posted Pathan on X.

What’s wrong if the player wants to give interview in hindi?

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 22, 2024

An Australian reporter could be heard stating that the entire situation was “disorganized and hopeless” after Jadeja left without answering any question in English.

The press conference row also trickled over to Sunday, with Indian pacer Akash Deep not taking any questions in English. The fact that Akash Deep – a player who does not speak English – was sent to attend the media meet, was described as a “crystal clear message” from Team India to the Australian media by Australian news outlet Channel 7.

Such has been the row over the incidents that a pre-planned friendly T20 match between media personnel from India and Australia, organized by Cricket Australia, has been cancelled.

Australian media have fallen into the bad books of the Indian players ever since Virat Kohli confronted a reporter and camera person for capturing photographs and videos of his family. The recent press conference row has only worsened matters.

With the series poised at 1-1 with two Tests to go and a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final on the line, these incidents have only heightened emotions.

India take on Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the Boxing Day Test from December 26.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who was a star of India’s last two Test series wins in Australia, has expressed concern regarding a couple of aspects of India’s current squad. While India have done reasonably well to keep the series at 1-1 after three Tests, Pujara believes that there are a couple of factors that India need to look out for heading into the fourth Test at Melbourne on Boxing Day. Chief among his concerns was the absence of a rear gunner for pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has had to do a lot of the heavy lifting with the ball so far.

“My biggest question and slight reason for concern is that the Indian bowling is looking slightly weak,” Pujara said on Star Sports.

Pujara’s concern is valid. While Bumrah has been inarguably the standout bowler of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25, leading the wickets’ column with 21 in three games, he has received minimal support.

While Mohammed Siraj does have 14 wickets to his name, he has not been able to give India the breakthrough on multiple occasions when the pressure has been put on India by the likes of Travis Head.

Besides Siraj, no Indian bowler has more than four wickets in the series.

Akash Deep briefly impressed in the third Test with the ball in hand in the third Test. He had replaced Harshit Rana, who got four in the first Test but went wicketless in the second game.

With India chopping and changing spinners regularly, their bowling attack is still a cause for concern.

Pujara also expressed doubt at the batting.

“The batting has improved a little. The top five have not batted well but the middle order and lower-middle order have done that,” Pujara said.

While KL Rahul and Nitish Reddy have done well more often than not, the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have been patchy at best.

Akash Deep made his India Test debut only in 2024, but already seems like a vital cog of the team. In the third Test against Australia, playing just his sixth Test match, Akash Deep made big contributions with both ball and bat. Coming in as the No. 11 batter, Akash Deep slammed 31 off just 44 balls to rescue India from a follow-on in a dramatic ninth-wicket partnership with Jasprit Bumrah. Ahead of the fourth Test, Akash Deep has credited Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for preparing a young India side for an Australia tour.

“The fact that we do not look novices while playing our first match in Australia – a lot of that credit goes to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who constantly give feedback to the bowlers,” said Akash Deep, ahead of the fourth Test in Melbourne.

Akash Deep also stated that advice from Jasprit Bumrah has been crucial to his performances.

“This is my first time in Australia. I trust Jasprit Bumrah and the little inputs that he gives help a lot. The things that he says are not complicated and that clarity helps a lot. He told me to not get excited by the help in the pitch, and that helped me bowl,” Akash said.

Coming into the playing XI in place of Harshit Rana, Akash Deep took three wickets in the third Test in Brisbane.

But his star turn came with the bat in hand. Walking in at 213/9, Akash Deep’s invaluable innings helped stitch a 47-run partnership with Jasprit Bumrah at the end of Day 4, that all but guaranteed that the match would end in a draw.

Akash Deep is expected to feature in India’s lineup in Melbourne as well, but was accused by the Australian media ahead of the Test for not answering their questions, with Australian media stating that he had been sent for the press conference with a “crystal clear message”.