Akash Deep is not playing today against Australia in the fifth Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy at Sydney. Akash Deep is injured and is thus not a part of the Indian Playing XI for the final Test of the series. Find out why Akash Deep is missing from today’s Test match against Australia.
Team India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and decided to bat first. “We are looking to bat first. We have played some good cricket. The last match was exciting. The grass doesn’t look spicy. We always have learnt to digest defeats. We will look forward to this.”, he said.
However, when the teams were announced, it was confirmed that Akash Deep would not be playing against Australia today. It is also worth noting that Team India are without their captain Rohit Sharma today who has opted to rest himself.
Reason of Akash Deep’s Absence
Team India skipper Jasprit Bumrah confirmed Akash Deep’s absence for this Test. “We have two changes. Rohit has opted out and Prasidh comes in for the injured Akash Deep.”, he said.
Akash Deep is struggling with a back injury and hence had to sit out this one. Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir had already confirmed Akash’s absence on the eve of the Sydney Test. “Akash Deep is out with back issue.”, Gambhir had said in his press conference.
Akash Deep has played 2 Tests on this tour and has taken 5 wickets across 4 innings. He also played a gritty knock of 31 at Brisbane and helped India avoid a follow-on. Hence. Akash’s injury comes as a huge setback for the Indian Team in a Test that could decide their fate for the World Test Championship Final.
Prasidh Krishna Replaced Akash Deep
Akash Deep has been replaced by right-arm pacer Prasidh Krishna. Prasidh Krishna’s Test career is fairly young. He has only played 2 games and has taken just 2 wickets. Krishna will have to fill in Akash Deep’s shoes in this must-win game for India. India did have the option to go with Harshit Rana who previously featured in the First Two Tests but opted to go with Krishna for this one.
India currently trail 1-2 in this series. A win in Sydney would keep them in contention for the WTC Final. However, they will have to rely on the results of Australia’s games with Sri Lanka. Nonetheless, if India lose or draw here, they will be out of the race for the WTC final.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram
