Image: Virat Kohli's advice has disrupted the rhythm of Akash Deep's game / © Hindustan Times
In the third Test of the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) at the Gabba, Ravichandran Ashwin recalled how a piece of advice from Virat Kohli disrupted Akash Deep’s rhythm. Ashwin mentioned that Deep was having a good spell, troubling the Australian batters, when Kohli suggested that he bowl straighter.
This advice, based on Kohli’s own experience as a batter, led to a change in Deep’s approach, with a fielder placed at leg gully. As a result, Deep began bowling on the body and down the leg side, which allowed the Australian batters to score boundaries. This change in strategy disturbed Deep’s flow, and his rhythm was lost. He said:
In the recently concluded Test series. Akash Deep was bowling a fabulous spell at The Gabba. He was probably bowling the best at The Gabba, Jassi (Jasprit Bumrah) wasn’t. He was going through a wonderful spell of 3-4 overs. I was watching the game from outside. No offense. I saw Virat (Kohli) run up to him and said ‘Seedha daalo yaar (bowl straight buddy)’ and immediately out came a fielder and he went to leg gully. Akash Deep bowled on the body and a couple of balls down the leg side got flicked, got pulled, and his rhythm went awry.
Ashwin highlighted that Kohli’s suggestion while coming from a good intention, was not ideal for a bowler who was already in a good spell. Ashwin stressed the importance of allowing bowlers to maintain their rhythm and not disturb their momentum during a good spell. The match saw Steve Smith scoring a century, helping Australia post a strong total.