India pacer Akash Deep voiced support for his teammate Jasprit Bumrah after the latter has come under scrutiny for missing two Tests against England despite being fit. The team management decided top rest Bumrah for two games out of five in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in order to properly manage the seamer's workload.
However, this didn't sit well with multiple former India cricketers, who accused Bumrah of picking and choosing the matches he will play. The 31-year-old featured in the first, third and fourth Test for India in the series and though he did pick up five-wicket hauls in the first two matches, both his pace and performance severely dropped in the third match. He only picked up two scalps in his final game and also ended up conceding more than 100 runs in a Test innings for the first time in his career.
Notably, the two games that Bumrah missed were the only ones that India won in the series against England. When asked about his thoughts on this fact, Akash firmly stated that a player's absence or presence is not linked with the team winning or losing the match. He further pointed out that Bumrah has won matches single-handedly for India on multiple occasions.
"I don’t think that’s the right way to look at it. Winning or losing a match shouldn’t be linked to one individual’s presence or absence. Bumrah bhai has won countless matches for India with his bowling. Even on this tour, I remember in the first match he took a five-wicket haul, and then again at Lord’s he picked another five-for. So, I don’t agree with that equation at all. Whenever he has played, he’s always given match-winning performances for the team," Akash Deep told CNN-News18.
Akash Deep on Gill's leadership skills
Akash Deep also shared his views on playing under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, who led the Indian team for the first time in Test cricket during the series against England. The pacer remarked that he had played under Gill's leadership previously in Duleep Trophy as well and added that he has performed whenever the 25-year-old was his skipper.
"It was very good. Actually, I had played under his captaincy before too—in the Duleep Trophy last year. Even then, I had a very good experience. In one of those matches, I had taken 9–10 wickets. Wherever I’ve played under his captaincy, I’ve performed well, so I consider it lucky for myself," Akash Deep stated.
Meanwhile, Akash Deep's next assignment with the Indian team can be the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies at home which will commence from October 2, a few days after the conclusion of Asia Cup.