Matthew Hayden Praises Akash Deep For His Potential In Filling The Shoes Of Mohammad Shami Ahead Of BGT

November 21, 2024: As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, the buildup to what is expected to be a thrilling series is intensifying, with both India and Australia finalizing their lineups for the high-stakes encounters. Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has shared his thoughts on India’s bowling options ahead of the series, providing particular praise for the promising young pacer Akash Deep.

Speaking during a select media interaction organized by Channel 7, Hayden acknowledged the strong performances of Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna in a recent unofficial Test match against Australia A but emphasized that Akash Deep is the closest contender to replace Mohammad Shami in India’s fast-bowling lineup.

“Prasidh Krishna did very well in the unofficial Test match, but for me, Akash Deep is the closest replacement for Shami’s type of role,” Hayden said. His comments suggest that Akash Deep’s style of bowling — his pace and attacking mindset — make him a natural fit for a role similar to that of Shami, especially in the Test format.

Hayden further highlighted that he believes Akash Deep could thrive in the Perth and Adelaide conditions, which are known to favor fast bowlers. These venues, with their hard and bouncy pitches, have traditionally been tough for batsmen but ideal for pace bowlers to exploit bounce and swing.

“I think he will go very well in Perth and Adelaide,” Hayden remarked, underscoring the promising talent Akash Deep brings, especially in conditions that will test India’s pace attack. If he gets the opportunity, Akash Deep could play a pivotal role in India’s plans to break through Australia’s formidable batting lineup.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, one of the most eagerly awaited series in world cricket, will kick off with the first Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium on November 22, 2024. Both India and Australia currently sit at the top of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points table, and this series is crucial for both teams in securing a spot in the WTC final.

India will be looking to bounce back after a rare and humiliating home setback against New Zealand, while Australia aims to avoid a hat-trick of series losses to India on home soil. After the series opener in Perth, the second Test will be played under lights in the day-night format at Adelaide Oval from December 6-10. The series will continue at The Gabba in Brisbane (December 14-18) before moving to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground for the traditional Boxing Day Test (December 26-30). The final Test will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7, offering an exciting climax to what promises to be a captivating series.

India has named a strong squad for the series, which includes the likes of Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, among others. With Shami in the squad, he could still play a pivotal role in India’s fast-bowling attack, but the decision to give opportunities to young pacers like Akash Deep could be key in their plans.

With both teams boasting top-class talent and high stakes involved, the series is set to be a thrilling contest. Akash Deep’s potential inclusion in India’s attack will be closely watched, and if he does get the nod, his performance could be a decisive factor in India’s bid to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.