'Seedha daalo yaar...': Ravichandran Ashwin alleges Virat Kohli for foiling Akash Deep's rhythm during Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin made an explosive claim about how Virat Kohli's advice to speedster Akash Deep backfired in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Akash Deep recently featured in Australia for Rohit Sharma-led side where he picked up just five wickets in two Test outings.

Claiming Kohli's advice to Akash Deep, Ashwin said that bowlers should “not be disturbed”, especially when they are in the middle of excellent bowling spells. Ashwin said that during the Gabba Test, Akash Deep was bowling a fabulous spell but Kohli run up to him and advised him to bowl straight.

“In the recently concluded Test series. Akash Deep was bowling a fabulous spell at The Gabba. He was probably bowling the best at The Gabba. He was going through a wonderful spell of 3-4 overs. I was watching the game from outside.

No offence. I saw Virat (Kohli) run up to him and said 'Seedha daalo yaar (bowl straight buddy)' and immediately out came a fielder and he went to leg gully. Akash Deep bowled on the body and a couple of balls down the leg side, got flicked, got pulled, and his rhythm went away.”

Ashwin who was part of India's squad during the Gabba Test advised that if you understand a bowler and you know he is going through the right spell. Do not disturb him, allow him to build on his spell.

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“So why does this happen? In Virat's head he thought 'That is uncomfortable for me so you do that against Steve Smith, you are going to get him out'. Now, bowling is very different. If you understand a bowler, you know he is going through a right spell. Do not disturb him, allow him to build on his spell.”

Notably, Ashwin has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. His last outing came in Adelaide during the second Test of BGT 2024-25 which was a pink ball day/night Test. R. Ashwin ended his career after playing 106 Tests, 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is for India. He got 537 scalps in the longest format of the game while 156 and 72 wickets in white-ball cricket respectively. The legendary spinner has rejoined his old franchise CSK where he started in 2008 as the franchise roped him in ahead of the 2025 IPL and he will be playing for his local team for the first time since 2015.