'Wasn't Looking To Save Follow-on': Akash Deep Discusses His Focus While Saving India In Gabba Test

Team India averted a huge disaster during the Brisbane Test after the tailenders helped the visiting side avoid a follow-on. Despite Australia's resilient form, Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep helped their side while batting in the middle, and the match ended up in a draw. Deep reflected upon his aim while he was batting for Team India. He revealed that the intent was not just to avoid the follow-on, but there was something more than that.

Akash Deep Reveals His Aim While batting For Team India And Avoiding A Follow-On

Akash Deep, who is touring Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy series, revealed his thoughts after Team India averted a follow-on. The rookie pacer stated that he was more concerned with contributing positively to the team than just saving the follow-on.

"We come to bat lower down the order, so contributions of 20-25-30 runs are very valuable. My mindset is just to contribute. I wasn't looking to save the follow-on that day; I was just looking not to get out. My mindset was this, God willing, we were able to save the follow-on. When you save the match from such a situation, the entire team gets the confidence, and our dressing room reflected just that. Everyone was having fun and enjoying," Akash told reporters.

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Akash Deep Reveals How Bumrah Helped Him During Brisbane Test

With a determined partnership for the tenth wicket, Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah saved Team India during the Brisbane Test as they avoided the match-up ending towards a loss. As Deep plays in a foreign land for the first time, Jasprit Bumrah helped him hold his composure as the India vice-captain offered him tips which helped him big-time.

"This is my first time playing in Australia. Jassi Bhai keeps on telling us things about how we can go about our job; it makes our job easy. He told me one thing: ‘Don’t get too excited. Just focus on your discipline. How you go about your job in Indian conditions, repeat that here.' He told me just this,” the Indian pacer revealed.

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[With PTI Inputs]