3 reasons why Akash Deep should return to India's Test 11 for 2nd 2024 Test vs New Zealand
A lot of small details have to go wrong for India to lose a home Test. Not only did that happen from a tactical and execution point of view at the Chinnaswamy Stadium this week, but the visitors, New Zealand, made sure to take full toll of all these errors to complete a historic eight-wicket win.
Alarm bells won't ring quite yet, though. India lost the first Test against England earlier this year, too, and conceded a big loss after two wins to Australia last year but bounced back nicely on both ocassions.
The plans would already be in the works on how to level the series in Pune when the second Test commences on October 24. A part of that should be getting pacer Akash Deep back into the 11 to partner Jasprit Bumrah. Below, we explain why in three points:
#3 Mohammed Siraj's underwhelming home record
Mohammed Siraj is one of India's biggest match-winners in Tests. He has exceeded expectations in pushing his limits and given India some much-needed motivation when the chips have been down.
However, his form in Indian conditions is quite concerning. He has picked up just 19 wickets in 13 home Tests at an average of over 39, which is his worst for the six countries he has played in.
In his last seven home Tests, he has managed 12 wickets. Compare that to his last seven away Tests, where he has picked up a brilliant 27 wickets and it's clear that Indian conditions aren't his best suit.
The low-bouncing tracks with not consistent carry or swing goes against his skillsets, whereas in Australia, England and South Africa, he gets much more help from pitches and looks threatening.
Even in the second innings against New Zealand, he bowled well, kept beating the outside edge and offered tight lines without much to show for it. The same pattern has been seen for over an year now.
It's high time India go for Akash, whose skills are much more suited to Indian conditions, over Siraj. The latter would still be an asset in SENA countries until he can find a way to develop.
#2 Akash Deep's clear and obvious skill advantage
Unlike Siraj who loves to swing the ball, Akash Deep is a more skiddy bowler who attacks the stumps relentlessly and uses seam movement better. This is why he gets more wickets from LBWs and bowls and is able to maximize India's spin-friendly tracks.
But even on tracks like the one at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Akash could have been more threatening with lower play-and-misses and more stump-to-stump threat. It's an issue India have time to correct.
Moreover, Akash got into India's reckoning on backs of his First Class record which was better than Siraj's. He's not as quick but having been through the gallows of flat tracks around the country, knows how to make things happen with the new ball.
Whether India trust themslelves and go for a similar pitch in the next Test or prepare a more tacky, spin-friendly one, Akash's skills would be better suited that Siraj's. The former has also shown much better form, with 14 wickets in his last three red-ball games.
# 1 Preparation for BGT 2024-25
Giving Akash the chance here would not only reap potential short-term benefits for India but would also be good for the long term.
His skillsets and form would have already made him a contender for the third pacer's spot for the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy, especially anid the uncertainty surrounding Mohammed Shami's fitness. The second Test with the series on the line, then, could earn Akash some more invaluable high-pressure environment experience.
Often new cricketers go to Australia and struggle to cope in front of the big crowds and theatre-like atmosphere. Akash doesn't have any prior overseas Test experience either so it's important India get him as much used to Tests as they can.