Melbourne: Watching the India nets from a higher spot really shows you how much difference a ball bowled at the same speed and spot can make. The swing, the release point, the angle – every tiny detail counts. At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the nets are set lower than the rest of the stadium, giving you a bird's-eye view of the action, which makes everything a bit clearer.

The practice pitches aren’t exactly lush; they look more like the kind of surfaces you'd find for white-ball matches. So, the bounce isn’t great, definitely not like what we've seen in the Test matches so far. But it was still enough to see Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep really go for it in the nets.

Cricket can be pretty complex, but the usual rules don’t seem to apply to Bumrah. Most batters tend to take an extra step back when facing him. His ball swings in sharply, it’s noticeably fast, and his lines keep the batters on their toes. Siraj has a knack for catching batters off guard with the occasional quicker delivery, a bouncer, or one that does something unexpected off the pitch.

Akash Deep is sitting right in the middle of the action. He doesn’t have the same flair as the other two bowlers and his deliveries tend to skid off the pitch. While he can make the ball cut in sharply, this style usually thrives in India. In Australia, though, the bounce can make you want to switch things up.

“This is my first time playing in Australia, so I had no experience of the conditions,” Deep shared on Sunday. “Jassi bhai keeps giving us tips on how to handle our roles. It’s pretty straightforward advice that makes my job easier. He told me, ‘Don’t get too hyped. Bowl in the right areas. Just stick to your discipline. There’s something in the wicket. Just do what you do back home in India and keep it consistent here.’ That’s all he said.”

If it were anyone else giving him advice, Deep might have second-guessed it, but with Bumrah, it’s a different story.

You can count on him based on how he’s bowled here and elsewhere. He shares little tips that are super helpful, Deep mentioned.

But it’s not just about Bumrah. The batters are really stepping up to support him. Virat Kohli is always giving him advice, along with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. It’s definitely a team effort. This kind of backing has been crucial for him, especially since he missed the first two Tests.

“It really simplifies things for me,” Deep said. “When you watch someone bowl in a match, it doesn’t seem like it’s their first time in these conditions. It doesn’t feel like Harshit (Rana) was absent for the first two Tests. They’re very clear about what they expect from a bowler and communicate it well. When your mind is clear, it really shows in your bowling.”

Deep continued: “My job in the team is to maintain a good line and length; to be consistent. It’s not just about bowling short balls. It’s about taking advantage of the pitch and using whatever assistance it offers.”

These are the kinds of moments that really helped the pacer during the third Test. There was a stretch in the first innings where Steve Smith struggled to make contact, but he pushed through and ended up scoring a tough century.

“For a while, I felt like I was just unlucky because I kept getting close to Smith but couldn’t take his wicket. Then I reminded myself that whether I got a wicket or not, I needed to keep bowling in the right areas, and that’s what I focused on from then on.”

Even though Deep was impressive in the second innings at the Gabba, it was his batting in the first innings that really lifted the spirits in the Indian camp. His 31 runs from the No. 11 spot helped India avoid a tricky follow-on situation.

“We usually bat lower down the order, so when we can chip in with 20-25-30 runs, it’s super important,” Deep mentioned. “My goal was just to contribute. I wasn’t specifically trying to save the follow-on; I just wanted to stay at the crease. Thankfully, we managed to avoid the follow-on.”

When you pull off a save in a tough spot, it really boosts the whole team's morale, and you could feel that vibe in our dressing room. Everyone was just having a blast and soaking it all in.

On the flip side, the Indian team hasn't had much fun dealing with Travis Head's batting. With 409 runs in the series, he's been a real thorn in India's side. They've tried a few strategies, but nothing seems to stick. In the Brisbane Test, all the bowlers switched to bowling over the wicket to him after previously going the other way. So, what’s the next move going to be?

“We can’t spill the beans on our plans; they’ll just get ready for it,” Deep said. “As fast bowlers, we’ll keep our focus on the same deliveries and stay disciplined. We’ll mix it up with both over and around the wicket, check out the pitch and conditions, and adjust our game plan from there.”

Travis Head really seems to have a tough time with short balls. Our plan is to not let him get comfortable at the crease. We’ll focus on certain areas and aim to make him slip up, which should give us some opportunities, he mentioned.

Looking at it, I’d say it’s pretty much 50-50, even though we were a bit behind in the last game. The confidence we gained on the final day is still with us. So, yeah, I’d say it’s 50-50, and this Test in Melbourne is crucial for both teams.

The series is tied at 1-1 as we head into the fourth Test. Australia has thrown some strong punches in the last couple of matches, but India has shown they can bounce back. It’s the kind of situation where players might start overthinking, but you can trust Deep to keep it straightforward. He’s all about simplicity.

Read Also: Commentator in Awe as Harmanpreet Kaur Makes Blistering Return with Stunning Catch

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!