Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah saved India from humiliation with a resolute 10th wicket partnership during the Brisbane Test, but this The rookie Pacers said Sunday that his focus is on contributing to the health of the team rather than “just saving the next team.”
Apart from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, the Indian batsmen again failed as a tenacious 47-run partnership between Bumrah and Akash helped India surpass the subsequent score in the Gabba Test, which ended in a draw.
“We were batting lower down the order, so the 20-25-30 contribution was very valuable. My mentality was just to contribute. I wasn’t trying to save the game that day; I just didn’t want to go out. My thought was, God bless , we were able to save the follow-up,” Akash told reporters here.
Akash bowled Pat Cummins for four to avoid a follow-on and celebrations erupted in the Indian dressing room on day four.
“When you save a game in a situation like this, the whole team gains confidence and our dressing room reflects that. Everyone is having fun and enjoying themselves.
Akash feels India are full of confidence after saving a draw after coming close to defeat in Brisbane.
“If you look at it, the result was 50-50, even though we were behind in the last game. But the confidence we built on the last day, we still have confidence. So, I can say it’s 50-50, and this test The game (Melbourne) is very important for both teams.
Akash was not in the starting XI for the first two Tests against Australia but he was included in the team for the third Test.
The 28-year-old contributed well himself but was unlucky to miss the wicket of veteran Steve Smith, who caused him no end of trouble.
The pacer, who is playing on foreign soil for the first time, revealed how Bumrah helped him.
“This is my first time playing in Australia. Jassi bhai keeps telling us how to do our job; it makes our job easy.”
“He told me one thing, ‘Don’t get too excited. Just focus on your discipline. How do you operate in Indian conditions, repeat it here.’ He just told me that.
Short-range opponent: Akash
Travis Head remains a thorn in India’s side. After being dismissed for 11 in the first game of the series, he scored 89, 140 and 152 runs in the next three games.
Obviously, he didn’t elaborate on the plan, but hinted at a guard strategy against the southpaw.
“Jo plan hai wo nahi bata sakte, wo bhi tayyar ho jayenge (We cannot reveal our plans as they will prepare accordingly).”
“As fast bowlers, we will stick to the same pitches and maintain bowling discipline. We will bowl over and around the wicket, assess the pitch and conditions and plan accordingly.”
“I think Travis Head in particular will struggle against the short ball. We’re not going to let him settle in the crease. We’re going to target specific areas and hopefully force him to make mistakes, which will create opportunities for us,” he said.
Akash insisted that India will continue to find ways to bat with the new ball.
“The plan is the same because we have played three games here and we have seen that the new ball is creating chances. If we take wickets early with the new ball, then it will be a problem for them as well,” he added.