Akash Deep Ruled Out of Sydney Test Due to Back Injury Confirms Gautam Gambhir

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January 2, 2025 0 701

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Injury Blow for India Ahead of Decider

India’s pacer Akash Deep was sidelined from the fifth Test against Australia due to a stiff back, forcing the team to consider replacements.

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that pacer Akash Deep will miss the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, starting Friday in Sydney, due to a stiff back. The 28-year-old, who took five wickets in the series opener in Brisbane and the second Test in Melbourne, endured a heavy workload, bowling 87.5 overs across the first four matches.

“Akash Deep is out with a back issue,” Gambhir announced during a pre-match press conference on Thursday. Despite his efforts, Akash was somewhat unlucky to not claim more wickets, as several catches were dropped off his bowling. The hard Australian pitches, notorious for causing physical strain on fast bowlers, appear to have taken a toll on the pacer.

India is now weighing its options for a replacement, with either Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna expected to take Akash’s place in the playing XI. The visitors, trailing 1-2 in the series, must win in Sydney to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India’s team selections throughout the series have drawn criticism. In the opening Test in Perth, both Ravindra Jadeja and R. Ashwin were left out in favour of Washington Sundar. Harshit Rana, who debuted in Perth, played again in Adelaide but struggled with back-to-back matches and extended bowling spells.

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In Melbourne, the Indian team opted for three all-rounders—Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jadeja, and Washington—while dropping Shubman Gill, their regular No. 3 batter. The decision to promote the out-of-form Rohit Sharma to open the innings, replacing KL Rahul, further disrupted the team’s stability.

Meanwhile, Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins confirmed that all-rounder Mitchell Marsh would not play in the Sydney Test, citing poor form. Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster will make his Test debut in Marsh’s place. “We have one change in our side: Beau Webster replaces Mitch Marsh. Mitch knows he hasn’t scored enough runs,” Cummins stated.

India Squad

Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar. Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal