Ravichandran Ashwin blames Virat Kohli for disrupting Akash Deep's spell during Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Former India offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin has launched a scathing attack on his former teammate Virat Kohli for disrupting the spell of fast bowler Akash Deep during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 played in Australia.

Ashwin revealed an incident that he feels disrupted the wonderful spell of Akash Deep and totally changed the momentum. According to the former offspinner, Akash bowled brilliantly till that point but lost his rhythm later.

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Ravichandran Ashwin blames Virat Kohli for disrupting Akash Deep's spell

While speaking at the AWS AI Conclave 2025 in Bengaluru, Ravichandran Ashwin narrated an incident during the third Test between Australia and India at the Gabba, Brisbane. He feels that Akash Deep was bowling brilliantly in a spell but Virat Kohli's words took away his rhythm.

“Akash Deep was bowling a fabulous spell at the Gabba. He was probably bowling his best, but (Jasprit) Bumrah wasn’t. He was going through a wonderful spell of 3-4 overs. I was watching the game from outside," Ashwin said at the event.

"I saw Virat (Kohli) run up to him and say, ‘seedha daalo yaar, seedha daalo!’ (bowl straight). Immediately, out came a fielder and he went to the 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," he added.

The fast bowler was taken for runs after that moment as the Australian batters made good use of all the poor balls bowled by him. The Gabba Test was Akash's first match in Australia and he finished with 1-95 in 29.1 overs.

He was excellent in this match and beat the bat a no. of times. Steve Smith, in particular, didn't find it easy to face him early on but went on to overcome an outstanding spell to score a gritty 101 off 190 balls, thus putting an end to his poor run of form.

It happens when you don’t understand a bowler - R Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin didn't stop here and lashed out at Virat Kohli for negatively affecting the bowler's rhythm. He claimed that Kohli didn't understand the bowler's mindset and didn't allow Akash to build on a good spell.

“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," Ashwin observed.

Both Steve Smith and Travis Head formed a great partnership of 251 runs for the fourth wicket to put Australia in command. Australia seemed to be ahead in the match where rain played several spoilsports. In the end, the match ended in a draw.

Ravichandran Ashwin retires after Gabba Test

After this match, Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket. He made this announcement just after the match. Ashwin retired as India's second highest-wicket-taker in Tests after Anil Kumble.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli had a disappointing series with 190 runs in five Tests at an average of 23.75. The veteran was constantly troubled by the balls outside his off stump and just couldn't overcome his weakness.