"The ball kept a bit low" - Indian seamer provides update after Rohit Sharma cops a blow to the knee ahead of BGT 2024-25 4th Test
Team India pacer Akash Deep has played down any injury concerns for skipper Rohit Sharma ahead of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test in Melbourne. The much-anticipated match will get underway on Boxing Day (December 26).
Rohit copped a blow on his knee while training at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) leading up to the fourth Test. Although he continued batting, the right-hander required attention from the physios later on. He also had an ice pack strapped around his knee and rested his leg on a chair.
Akash stated that these injuries were normal before adding that the wicket was difficult to bat on.
"Such injuries are quite common when you play cricket and it doesn't make much of a difference," Akash told reporters via Hindustan Times.
"I think this was a wicket for white-ball cricket, so the ball kept a bit low and it was a bit difficult to bat on. But such blows happen and it's not a concern," he added.
Rohit Sharma, who missed the first Test for personal reasons, has been struggling for form with the bat. He has aggregated only 19 runs across three innings so far in the series.
Moreover, he averages a meager 26.39 in 24 innings so far this year, accumulating only 607 runs, including two centuries and as many fifties.
"In the last match, even though we were behind, we built some confidence" - Akash Deep ahead of Melbourne Test
The five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy is brilliantly poised, with the series tied at 1-1 after three Tests. India thrashed the hosts by 295 runs in the first Test, but were beaten by 10 wickets in the day-night outing in Adelaide. The last outing was marred by rain and the visiting side fought hard to earn a draw.
Akash Deep reckoned that the Melbourne Test will be important for both teams in terms of winning the series.
"It's 50-50 right now. In the last match, even though we were behind, we built some confidence. This Test match will be very important for both teams," Akash said (as per the aforementioned source).
"Our mindset as fast bowlers is that we can get some quick wickets with the new ball and cause problems for them. We have seen in the three matches that we can create chances with the new ball. After 30 overs, however, you have to wait for the batsmen to make mistakes," he added.
India have won the last two editions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under and will look to retain the cup this time around as well.