The first time in Australia is never easy for any cricketer, whether it's a batsman or a bowler. For India pacer Akash Deep though his maiden appearance on Australian soil didn’t go too badly.
In the first innings of the previous Test in Brisbane, the 28-year-old went through a bit of a struggle, finishing with only one wicket in his 29-over spell. But in the second innings, it was a better experience for Akash as he picked up Nathan McSweeney and Mitch Marsh, bowling five overs.
A talented pacer like Akash can only get to show better results from hereon. Fortunately for him, he has a quality bowler like Jasprit Bumrah alongside, whose tips and suggestions should be of value for the six-Test old pacer going forward.
"This is my first time playing in Australia. Jassibhai keeps on telling us things... about how we can go about our job. For sure, it makes our job easy,” Akash told reporters in Melbourne after Sunday’s training session.
“He told me one thing, ‘Don’t get too excited. Just focus on your discipline. Repeat how you go about your job in Indian conditions.' He told me just this bit.”
One does hope Akash will fare better in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) beginning on Thursday. On his part, he seems to be having plans in store for the Australian batsmen, especially India’s current nemesis Travis Head, who does tend to struggle against well-directed short-pitched stuff.
“We can’t reveal our plans, as they (Australia) too will prepare accordingly then. But as fast bowlers, we’ll stick to the same kind of deliveries and maintain discipline in our bowling. We’ll bowl from both over and around the wicket, analyse the pitch and conditions, and plan accordingly,” Akash said.
"I think Travis Head, in particular, struggles against short balls. We won’t let him settle down at the crease. We’ll target specific areas and hope to force him to err, which will create chances for us," the Bengal quick added.
Akash emphasised that finding ways to strike with the new ball will be India’s area of focus. "The plan is the same as we have played three matches here and we have seen that chances are being created with the new ball.
“If we take wickets early with the new ball, then it's a problem for Australia too," he stated.
Salvaging a draw after being under enormous pressure in Brisbane, Team India are a confident unit at present, Akash feels. "If you look at the current situation (in the series), it's 50-50 even though we were behind in the last Test.
“But we’re riding on the confidence we built on the last day (at the Gabba). So, I can say it's 50-50, and this upcoming Test match is very important for both the teams."
Looking back at his 47-run last-wicket stand with Bumrah that helped India avoid the follow-on at the Gabba, Akash said his main focus was “looking not to get out.” “Look, we come to bat lower down the order, so contributions of 20-25 or 30 runs are very valuable.
“My mindset is just to contribute. I wasn't looking to save the follow-on that day. I was just looking not to get out. My mindset was, ‘God willing, we can save the follow-on’."
It was Akash who worked Australia skipper Pat Cummins over the gully region for a boundary which brought the deficit down to below 200 and helped avoid India the follow-on and the dressing room then broke into celebrations on the penultimate day of the previous Test.
“When you save the game from such a situation, the entire team gets the confidence and our dressing room reflected just that."
Rohit cops a blow
During Sunday's practice, India captain Rohit Sharma hurt the region around his left knee as he attempted a pull shot. The attempted pull didn't come off and the ball cleared the top flap of the pad to hit him on the knee region.
The skipper needed a bit of treatment as an ice pack had to be put on his left knee. But the blow doesn't appear too serious as Rohit was learnt to be walking around fairly comfortably, chatting with teammates and the coaching staff.
Even Akash got hit on the arm while batting at nets, but brushed it off, saying the blows to Rohit and him were nothing to worry about.
"Such blows are common when you play cricket," Akash said. "I think this practice wicket was for white-ball cricket, which is why the ball kept low at times. But these blows are common in training. There are no major concerns because of them."
One hopes the blow to Rohit in particular is actually not that serious. Though the captain has had a hard time so far in what seems to be his last tour of Australia, his experience will still count for India in Melbourne.
As for the MCG pitch, it seems to be having a fair bit of grass on it at present. However, with still a few days left for the game to begin, it's likely that a bit of the grass will be shaved off.
