"I’d definitely keep him in that 12" - Ravi Shastri wants India to keep this pacer in the mix for pink-ball Test in BGT 2024-25
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri feels the visitors would not be looking to make too many changes to their bowling line-up for the second Test against Australia in Adelaide. However, he suggested that India must keep pacer Akash Deep in the mix considering that the pink ball could offer seam and swing.
India beat Australia by 295 runs in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test in Perth. In the absence of Rohit Sharma, pacer Jasprit Bumrah led from the front and was named Player of the Match for claiming eight wickets. Apart from Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, debutants Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy were part of India's pace bowling attack in the first Test.
Speaking on ICC Review, Shastri explained that while Harshit was highly impressive in his debut Test, India must keep an eye on Akash Deep considering the second Test in Adelaide will be played with the pink ball.
"Only thing that you must remember, this is a pink-ball Test. I know Harshit Rana did very well in that Test match, but the pink ball with extra lacquer, it's a little harder, might seam around a bit and swing. [That’s] where I think Akash Deep should be in the mix," the former India all-rounder said.
“Now when you reach the ground, you see the conditions, [whether] you opt for extra bounce and pace, that’s your choice. But I’d definitely keep him in that 12 and keep an eye on him,” Shastri went on to add.
There were question marks over India's decision to hand debuts to Harshit and Reddy in Perth, but both players made significant contributions to the visitors' memorable win. Harshit claimed three wickets in the first innings and also picked up the last wicket to fall in the match. As for Reddy, he top-scored for India with 41 in the first innings and was unbeaten on 38 off 27 balls in the second.
Akash Deep has had an impressive start to his Test career
While Harshit was preferred over Akash Deep for the first Test against Australia in Perth, the latter has also done a good job in the limited opportunities that have come his way. In five Tests, the Bengal pacer has claimed 10 wickets at an impressive average of 25.80.
The 27-year-old registered figures of 3-83 on his Test debut against England in Ranchi in February 2024. He also claimed 2-19 against Bangladesh in Chennai and 2-43 against the same opposition in Kanpur.