India pacer Akash Deep revealed the team’s plan against Australian middle-order batter Travis Head ahead of the fourth Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Akash Deep stated that the bowlers will focus on maintaining bowling discipline and adapting to pitch conditions in Melbourne.
The Test series between India and Australia is locked at 1-1. Team India secured a 295-run victory in the first Test in Perth but faced a setback with a 10-wicket loss in Adelaide’s day-night Test. The third Test in Brisbane ended in a draw, setting the stage for both teams to vie for a series win in Melbourne.
Jo Plan Hai Wo Nahi Bata Sakte – Akash Deep
Speaking ahead of the Boxing Day Test, Akash Deep avoided revealing plans for the upcoming match. Akash stated that Travis Head struggles against short balls and added that the team aims to target him strategically, preventing him from settling.
“Jo plan hai wo nahi bata sakte, wo bhi tayyar ho jayenge (We can’t reveal our plans, as they’ll prepare accordingly),” Akash Deep said.
“As fast bowlers, we will stick to the same deliveries and maintain discipline in our bowling. We will bowl from both over and around the wicket, assess the pitch and conditions, and plan accordingly,” he added.
“I think Travis Head, in particular, struggles against short balls. We won’t let him settle at the crease. We’ll target specific areas and hope to force him into mistakes, which will create chances for us,” he stated.
Travis Head Leads Batting Charts in Ongoing BGT 2024-25
Travis Head scored 152 runs off 160 balls in Australia’s first innings of the third Test against India in Brisbane. However, rain interrupted play on the final day, preventing the hosts from pushing for a win. Head has amassed 409 runs at an average of 81.80, with two centuries and an 89-run knock.
Akash was not included in India’s squad for the first two matches before making his comeback in Brisbane, where he took three wickets across two innings. The fourth Test between India and Australia will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, starting on Thursday, December 26.
Here It Is a Bit of a Challenge – Akash Deep
Akash opened up about the challenges of bowling in Australian conditions, contrasting them with those in India. He said that shorter lengths work better on Indian pitches, whereas adapting to Australian pitches requires adjustments.
“It is a bit difficult. I have played most of my cricket in India. We can bowl shorter lengths there, but here it is a bit of a challenge,” he explained.
“Sometimes you think you are bowling really well. Jo bhi wicket ya condition ho, as a fast bowler discipline mein rehna kaafi important hota hai (Whatever the conditions or wickets are, as a fast bowler, you need to maintain discipline),” Akash added.
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