Akash Deep Defends Rohit Sharma; Praises Bumrah’s Impact
Young pacer Akash Deep defended Rohit Sharma, calling him the best leader, and praised Jasprit Bumrah for his match-winning performances.
Amid mounting criticism over Rohit Sharma’s underwhelming performance in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, young pacer Akash Deep has come out in strong support of the Indian skipper. Rohit’s struggles in Australia, where he scored just 31 runs across five innings at an average of 6.20, the lowest by a touring captain on Australian soil, have led to speculation about his future in Test cricket.
Speaking to The Times of India, Akash described Rohit as an exceptional leader. “I’ve said this before and will say it again—there’s no better captain than Rohit bhai. He’s the best leader in the world. I’m lucky to have played under him,” he said.
Akash dismissed the criticism of Rohit’s batting in the series, attributing his poor returns to bad luck. “In the BGT, he played the way he always has, but luck wasn’t on his side. That’s what great leaders do—they prioritise the team over themselves,” he added.
Highlighting Rohit’s leadership qualities, Akash praised the skipper’s ability to simplify the game for his bowlers and support newcomers. “Rohit bhai’s leadership has always been inspiring, making it easier for newcomers like me to perform. He doesn’t complicate things. Sometimes, when things don’t go your way, a good leader guides you through those moments. Rohit bhai is that leader. He’s the backbone of our bowling unit. He always says, ‘Tu aise daal, agar ye karega to aise hoga. Tu daal, main hoon na’ (Bowl like this; if he reacts a certain way, I’ll handle it). His support and encouragement are invaluable,” Akash explained.
ALSO READ | Virat Kohli’s Availability Uncertain for Ranji Trophy Game Against Saurashtra Due to Neck Injury
The pacer also heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah, who emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the series with 32 scalps. He described Bumrah as India’s “Brahmastra,” capable of delivering under any conditions. “Bumrah bhai is like our Brahmastra (ultimate weapon). His spells are crucial for us. Every era has a standout player, and this is Bumrah’s era for Team India,” Akash said.
He lauded Bumrah’s ability to trouble batters with precision and adaptability. “Whatever he touches turns to gold. The team has immense trust and faith in him. He’s a world-class bowler who can perform in any condition or situation. He knows exactly where and how to bowl to each batter. For him, workload isn’t the priority; the team is,” Akash Deep concluded.
Dafabet
- Maximum Cricket Cashback 10%
- India Super League Cashback
- Common wallet 100% deposit bonus up to ₹8,000 !
Last Updated on January 17, 2025
