Akash Deep drops don’t care verdict on Virat Kohli’s absence, echoes Gautam Gambhir’s ‘team-first’ mantra

Team India pacer Akash Deep has opened up about whether the national cricket team missed ace batter Virat Kohli during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against England. Akash stated that cricket is a team sport rather than about any individual player, adding that the team is made up of 11 players.

Virat Kohli last played in the IPL 2025, helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) win their first title after 18 years. The Delhi-born batter has been living in London with his family. He didn't participate in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, as he announced his retirement from Test cricket in May.

Akash Deep Opens Up on Virat Kohli’s Absence During England Tour

When asked about missing Virat Kohli in the recent series, Akash Deep stated that cricket is a collective effort. He noted that individual players come and go, but the team’s spirit and environment remain constant. Akash said that the team consists of 11 players, all equally important to its success.

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"Look, this is a team. I feel that today we are here. Even if we don’t stay here, someone else will come after us. But the atmosphere of the team will always be the same. Because a team is not made up of one person. There are 11 people in a team, and all of them are important," Akash said.

Q: You've played with Kohli in tests. Does the Indian team miss him?

Akash Deep: See, there are 11 players in the team, so it's not about one player. All 11 players are equally important. 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/kSCGPqGH20

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) August 11, 2025

Akash Deep’s Performances Against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy

Akash Deep played three Test matches against England, where he took a total of 13 wickets. He delivered his best bowling performance during the second Test at Edgbaston. The right-arm fast bowler took 10 wickets across two innings.

Akash also made valuable contributions with the bat. Notably, he recorded his first half-century in Test cricket during the Oval Test. He scored 66 runs and added a 107-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal. India posted a competitive team total, which proved enough for them.

The pacer has played in 10 matches, securing 28 wickets at an average in the mid-30s and a strike rate of 54.8. He has also achieved a five-wicket haul in his brief career.

Virat Kohli Last Seen in Action During IPL 2025 Season

Virat Kohli concluded his Test career after playing 123 matches for India. He scored 9,230 runs in 210 innings with an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.

Kohli is India’s second-highest run-scorer across all formats, accumulating 27,599 runs in 550 matches at an average of 52.27, featuring 82 centuries and 143 fifties. The Delhi-born cricketer is just behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar on this elite list.

Earlier, Kohli retired from T20Is following India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory. The batter continues to play in the ODI format for India. He was last seen in the Indian Premier League 2025, where he was the top scorer for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), amassing 657 runs at an average of 54.75.

Also read: Vaibhav Suryavanshi handpicked for elite BCCI training to fill Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma void