'His rhythm went awry' – R Ashwin reveals how Virat Kohli’s advice to Akash Deep backfired in BGT 2024-25

The 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy had plenty of captivating on-field moments throughout the course of the five games. There were several off-the-field moments which stirred up considerable buzz, one of which was Ra Ashwin's abrupt international retirement following the third Test in Brisbane. 

Recently, Ashwin revealed an interesting observation about Virat Kohli and Aakash Deep which he made from the dugout during the Brisbane Test. Ashwin reckoned that Deep, who was in the midst of a menacing spell in the game, was asked to change his bowling approach to Steve Smith. The intervention from Kohli, Ashwin reckoned, led the pacer into losing his rhythm as he conceded a few boundaries.

"Akash Deep was bowling a fabulous spell at the Gabba. He was probably bowling his best, but Bumrah wasn't. He was going through a wonderful spell of 3-4 overs. I was watching the game from outside. I saw Virat run up to him and say, ‘seedha daalo yaar, seedha daalo!’ [bowl straight!]. Immediately, out came a fielder and he went to leg gully. Aakash Deep bowled on the body and a couple of balls on the leg side, he got flicked and pulled. His rhythm went awry," shared Ashwin at the AWS AI Conclave 2025 in Bengaluru.

Also Read: IND vs ENG 2025: Adil Rashid receives R Ashwin's praise for Tilak Varma dismissal in third T20I

If you don’t understand a bowler, this is what happens: Ashwin

Ashwin highlighted the importance for a captain to be in sync with the bowle's thought process. "In Virat’s head, he thought that was uncomfortable for him, so if you do that against Smith, you will get him out. If you don’t understand a bowler, this is what happens. But if you understand a bowler, you know he’s going through a good spell, allow him to build on that spell," he added.

Steve Smith went onto score 101 in the first innings during that game. India and Deep bowled considerably better during the hosts' second innings. However, several rain interruptions meant the game ended in a draw.