During India’s recent Test series in Australia, Ravichandran Ashwin shared an insightful anecdote about how a well-meaning piece of advice from Virat Kohli backfired on pacer Akash Deep. Ashwin, who retired from international cricket in December 2024 with 537 Test wickets, discussed the incident during his appearance at the AWS AI Conclave 2025.
Ashwin pointed out that Akash Deep was in exceptional rhythm during a spell at The Gabba, bowling one of his best spells of the tour. He noted that even though Jasprit Bumrah wasn’t in his best form at the time, Akash Deep was executing his deliveries brilliantly. However, Kohli approached him with a suggestion to “bowl straight” at a moment when the pacer was in the zone. Following this, a fielder was placed at leg gully, and Akash Deep’s focus shifted. Ashwin explained that as a result, Akash Deep began bowling deliveries down the leg side, which were flicked and pulled by the batsmen, disrupting his rhythm.
Ashwin highlighted how Kohli’s advice, while well-intentioned, stemmed from his own discomfort as a batter facing the ball in that manner. Ashwin emphasized that understanding the bowler’s rhythm is crucial, and sometimes it’s best not to interfere when they are in the middle of a good spell. He stressed that a bowler’s success relies on maintaining a consistent length and rhythm, and in some cases, letting them continue without disruption can yield better results.
Ashwin’s experience and deep understanding of the game reflect his cricketing acumen, which made him one of India’s most successful bowlers in the longest format of the game.