“Travis Head, in particular, struggles against short balls” - India fast bowler’s blunt take ahead of BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Team India pacer Akash Deep has opened up on Australia star Travis Head's struggles against short-pitched deliveries ahead of the all-important fourth Border-Gavaskar series Test in Melbourne, starting on December 26. Head has been India's chief tormenter across formats over the past two years with several match-winning knocks in big matches.

The trend has continued in the ongoing India-Australia series, with the 30-year-old leading the run-scoring charts. Head has smashed 409 runs at an average of almost 82 and a strike rate of 94.23 in three Tests, including two centuries and a half-century.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Boxing Day Test, Akash Deep said (as quoted by News18):

"As fast bowlers, we will stick to the same deliveries and maintain discipline in our bowling. We will bowl from both over and around the wicket, assess the pitch and conditions, and plan accordingly. I think Travis Head, in particular, struggles against short balls. We won’t let him settle at the crease. We’ll target specific areas and hope to force him into mistakes, which will create chances for us."

Akash Deep missed the first two Tests before replacing Harshit Rana in the 11 for the Brisbane encounter.

After a difficult first innings with figures of 1/95, the 28-year-old impressed in the second innings with figures of 2/28 in the drawn outing. However, Akash Deep's biggest contribution came with the bat as his 44-ball 31 at No.11 helped India avoid the follow-on.

"Sometimes you think you are bowling really well" - Akash Deep

Australia v India - Men's 3rd Test Match: Day 5 - Source: Getty

Akash Deep acknowledged the difficulties in adapting to Australian conditions after playing all his cricket in India.

The Bengal pacer played his five Tests at home before the Brisbane outing - his first away Test.

"It is a bit difficult. I have played most of my cricket in India. We can bowl shorter lengths there, but here it is a bit of a challenge. Whatever the conditions or wickets are, as a fast bowler, you need to maintain discipline," Akash Deep said in the same interview.

The pacer is off to an impressive start in his Test career, with 13 wickets in six games at an average of 29.30.

Akash Deep boasts a sensational first-class record with 126 wickets in 37 matches at an average of 23.41, including five five-wicket hauls.