Indian pacer Akash Deep has revealed that Virat Kohli played a vital role in helping the team not go on during the Gabba Test in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Akash Deep shared the unforgettable moment when Virat Kohli offered him one of his signature bats during the third Test.
The Men in Blue initially took a 1-0 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with an emphatic win in Perth, but Australia regained control over the next six weeks. The hosts won three of the remaining four matches and reclaimed the BGT trophy after India’s ten-year dominance in the series.
Virat Bhaiya himself asked me, ‘Do you want a bat?’ – Akash Deep
In a tough match at the Gabba in Brisbane, Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah shared a crucial 47-run partnership for the tenth wicket, helping India avoid the follow-on and earn a draw in rain-affected conditions.
Reflecting on his batting, Akash Deep revealed that Virat Kohli used one of the signature bats that the former Indian captain offered him before the match. Akash recalled Kohli asking him if he needed a bat and he eagerly accepted.
“Yes, it was Virat bhaiya’s bat, the bat with the MRF logo, everyone knows,” Akash said in a sit-down with PTI.
“Bhaiyya (Kohli) himself asked me, ‘Do you want a bat?’ (Virat bhaiyya asked me, do you need a bat?) I said ‘Yes bhaiyya, who in the world would want to take your bat?’ (“Yeah, who in the world wouldn’t want your bat,” he said.
Virat Kohli Himself Gave Me The Bat – Akash Deep
Akash Deep admitted that he felt scared to ask Virat Kohli given his height and focus during the match. But Kohli offered the bat to Akasha on his own initiative. Akash used the bat brilliantly, playing a vital role in keeping India from losing the game.
“I’ve been there with bhaiyya (Kohli) for a while now. But whether it’s right to ask someone of Virat bhaiyya’s stature to bat, you always have that in the back of your mind.”
“Especially during a match, when he is focused and in his zone, you don’t want to disturb him, but bhaiyya himself gave me the bat,” said Akash.
This was not the first time that Kohli had gifted Akash a bat
Akash joined Bumrah when India still needed 33 runs to stay out. They were able to help the team avoid the chase with their patient defense. Akash cleared the next mark with a cut over the slip cordon before hitting a memorable six off the next ball.
This was not the first time Virat gifted Akash a bat. During the home series against Bangladesh, Kohli also gave one of his signature bats to Akash, demonstrating the strong camaraderie within the Indian team.
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