India vs Australia:The fourth test match between India and Australia will be played in Melbourne from 26 December. Earlier, the third Test played at Gabba was a draw. In the third test, Akashdeep and Jasprit Bumrah averted the danger of defeat by performing brilliantly with the bat. Both of them saved the follow-on and broke the morale of the Kangaroos. However, now Akashdeep has said that his target was not to save the follow-on. He also reacted to the strategy against Travis Head.
Akashdeep, along with Jasprit Bumrah, saved India from follow-on by making an important partnership for the 10th wicket in the third Test against Australia at Gabba in Brisbane, but this young fast bowler said on Sunday that his aim was not just to save follow-on.
Except KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, none of the Indian batsmen could perform well in the third test match. In such a situation, the threat of follow-on was looming over India, but Akashdeep and Bumrah averted it by making a partnership of 47 runs for the 10th wicket. This match affected by rain ended in a draw.
Akashdeep told reporters in Melbourne before the fourth Test, "We come to bat lower in the order. Therefore a contribution of 20, 25 or 30 runs is valuable. At that time I was only thinking about contributing to the team. I was not playing to save follow-on that day. My focus was on not getting out. God willing and we were successful in saving the follow-on."
This young fast bowler further said, "When you save the match from such situations then the confidence of the entire team increases. A glimpse of this was also seen in our dressing room. Even though we were behind in the last match, but if you pay attention, both the teams are on equal footing. The confidence we gained on the last day of the last match is still with us, so I believe the match is on par and the Melbourne Test match is important for both the teams."
Australia’s Travis Head remains the biggest headache for India. After scoring 11 runs in the first innings of the series, he scored 89, 140 and 152 runs in the next three innings. Akashdeep indicated that India can use the short pitch ball as a weapon against this batsman.
He said, "We cannot tell about the strategy we have made, because it will make them ready too. As a bowler we will focus on bowling disciplined bowling. We will assess the pitch and situation and make a strategy accordingly."