Ashwin reveals how Kohli's advice to pacer backfired in BGT
What's the story
Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared an incident from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Ashwin highlighted how Virat Kohli's advice to fast bowler Akash Deep during the Brisbane Test didn't produce the desired outcome.
Despite a strong start, Akash Deep finished the first innings with disappointing figures of 1/95 from 29.5 overs.
This was largely due to Steve Smith and Travis Head's exceptional centuries for Australia. Here's what the former spinner had to say.
Strategy discussion
Ashwin discusses Kohli's strategy at AWS AI Conclave 2025
Ashwin spoke about the incident while addressing the AWS AI Conclave 2025 in Bengaluru. He stressed on the need to know a bowler's rhythm and style.
"Akash Deep was bowling a fabulous spell at The Gabba. He was probably bowling his best, but Bumrah wasn't" Ashwin said, as quoted by News18.
"I saw Virat run up to him and say, 'bowl straight!' Immediately, out came a fielder and he went to leg gully."
Performance impact
Ashwin highlights impact of Kohli's advice on Akash Deep
Further explaining how Kohli's advice affected Akash Deep's performance, Ashwin said, "Akash Deep bowled on the body and a couple of balls on the leg side, he got flicked and pulled. His rhythm went awry."
He suggested that knowing a bowler could've helped Akash build on his good spell, instead of disrupting it.
Ashwin further added stating, "If you understand a bowler, you know he's going through a good spell, allow him to build on that spell."
Criticism
Ashwin criticizes India's approach toward bowlers
Ashwin also slammed the Indian cricket team's treatment of bowlers, particularly in contrast to their treatment of batters.
He feared that Deep may not receive another opportunity to play Test cricket since he underperformed in Australia.
"It is an unfair world. The batters get cocooned, but the bowlers don't. You will find Akash Deep not playing another Test because he didn't get enough wickets in Australia." Ashwin said, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Stats
The pacer's stats in the series and overall Test numbers
Deep played only two out of the five Tests in Australia, finishing with 5 wickets at an average of 54.
His best innings read 2/28, while his best match figures were worth 3/123.
Overall, the pacer has bagged 15 wickets across 15 Tests at an average of 35.20.
In 12 innings he boasts an economy rate of 3.59 with best innings figures of 3/83 (vs England) and best match figures of 3/63 (vs Bangladesh).