Akash Deep ahead of Harshit Rana for Gabba Test? Manjrekar suggests

The Perth Test, the opening fixture of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, witnessed India clinch a commanding win despite notable absences from the team. Jasprit Bumrah set the tone for victory with his five-wicket haul, while KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Virat Kohli stepped up to seal the win. However, the visitors were confronted with a harsh reality in the second BGT Test. The batting order collapsed against Mitchell Starc’s pink-ball attack. The bowling department also left fans discontented, highlighting India’s overdependence on Jasprit Bumrah.

Sanjay Manjrekar wants India to play Akash Deep in Gabba Test

In the two matches played Down Under so far, India has relied on Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana for the pace attack. Bumrah is a top performer and a match-winning prospect for India. While Siraj picked up four wickets in Adelaide, his performance has left much to be desired. Moreover, beyond the seasoned duo, India's next option is Harshit Rana, who is playing his maiden series for the team. The pacer had a commendable start to his career, picking up four wickets across two innings. However, the youngster faced the true wrath of the Kangaroos while handling the pink ball in Adelaide.

Travis Head, who smashed 140 off 141 balls in the Adelaide Test, took a liking to Rana, beating the pacer around the Adelaide Oval. Despite being only two matches into his career, Rana is now facing uncertainty about his inclusion in the Brisbane Test. Amid this discussion, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has suggested that Akash Deep replace Harshit Rana in the pace lineup for the crucial Gabba Test. Manjrekar emphasized that India’s heavy reliance on Jasprit Bumrah has made their bowling attack vulnerable, particularly in conditions that might not suit Bumrah’s style. He argued that bringing in Akash Deep could add balance and strengthen the pace attack, especially if the Gabba pitch offers more assistance to the pacers.

Manjrekar suggested that Akash Deep’s inclusion could be strategic if the conditions at Gabba offer more assistance than Adelaide’s flatter track. So far, India has relied on a pace unit of Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana, with occasional overs from all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. While this combination excelled in Perth, their lack of depth became evident in Adelaide, raising doubts about the sustainability of their current bowling setup without further reinforcements. 

"Not at the expense of Harshit Rana. But, I think that might happen. Just trying to read the team management's mind, but if it's an all out pace pitch, he (Akash Deep) can be the fourth seamer...So India have to think about that carefully," Manjrekar said. "This bowling lineup with Bumrah, Siraj, Harshit Rana or Akash Deep is starting to look a little inadequate, if the pitch is going to be as flat as it was in Adelaide in Brisbane. Otherwise, it should be enough," he added.

India is awaiting the clearance frm NCA for Mohammed Shami to join the squad in Australia. However, with just four days remaining for the Gabba Test, Shami's entry in the team is not a possibility. Thus, the team will need to sort among the available options and ponder over extending a longer rope to Rana or trying Akash Deep in the Brisbane conditions.