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India may have lost the Test series Down Under but the tour was packed with valuable lessons and unforgettable memories for Akash Deep. Currently recovering from a back injury, the pacer opens up to CricketNext about his batting, sharing the bowling workload with the world’s…Read More
Akash Deep celebrates with the Indian cricket team (PTI)
“Wo balla hi alag hai, chhakke nahi dekhe the kitne door gaye the?,” Akash Deep chuckles as he fondly speaks about the special bat gifted by Virat Kohli. The right-arm quick may have returned from his first-ever Australia tour with just five wickets but what he did in Melbourne with Kohli’s bat is one of the fewest positive takeaways from India’s miserable campaign Down Under.
Akash is grateful for the rare privilege of having received a bat from modern-day great Kohli. Unlike Rinku Singh and others, it’s uncommon for a fast bowler to be gifted a bat and that too by the poster boy of Indian cricket.
It was with that bat that Akash had Kohli and other top India stars jumping off their seats as he rescued them from Australia’s pace giants at the Gabba.
After India’s deep batting line-up flattered to deceive, the visitors were staring at a follow-on during the third Test in Brisbane. However, Akash and Jasprit Bumrah’s rear-guard action in the final session on the fourth day proved to be the turning point. They added 47 crucial runs for the tenth wicket, forcing Australia to bat again.
“Kuch bhi ho jaye, out nahi hona hai!”
In an exclusive interview with News18 CricketNext, Akash recalled his innings in Brisbane and the partnership with Boom bhai that saved India.
“The plan was to hold the fort. The follow-on wasn’t our focus. Jassi bhai asked me not to hit them (the bowlers) but to stay as long as we could,” Akash recalls.
“So, we went on playing and then came a moment when the ball started appearing clearer. We showed faith and confidence in each other, without any doubt. We just kept on playing and thus, saved the follow-on. Bas yahi tha ki kuch bhi ho jaye, out nahi hona hai (We didn’t want to throw away our wickets),” he added.
Jasprit Bumrah – God’s Creation
Brisbane’s first innings was a rare occasion when Akash and Bumrah worked in sync but with the bat in their hands. They usually do it with the red cherry and the world’s best bowler by his side, Akash always looks to enhance his skills.
The Bengal pacer describes Bumrah as a special being created by God himself whose bowling abilities can’t be imitated.
“It’s a great feeling when the world’s best bowler is bowling with you. But the onus to support him in a game is also huge. Other than that, you are in the best position to observe such a genius and learn what he’s trying out with the ball. The challenge is to learn from the world’s best and try to contribute accordingly otherwise you would look ordinary. So, it’s a motivation for me to keep helping the team,” Akash said.
“I don’t think you can try a few things and become like Bumrah. Wo bhagwan ka diya hua alag insaan hai (He’s god’s gift). A perfect bowler, who is complete in every aspect. Not every bowler is like that and neither you can learn all those tactics from him. But what you can grasp is the technicalities, like how to create pressure on the opponents,” he added.
BGT Down Under – Forgettable Results, Memorable Learnings
Akash made a late entry to India’s eleven during the Test series Down Under. He got a spot after Australia levelled the series 1-1 in Adelaide, replacing rookie pacer Harshit Rana. Not only a dream fulfilled but also the Border-Gavaskar Trophy served him with what he was desperate for: bowling.
“I played just 5 Tests before heading to Australia and didn’t get many overs to bowl because we have world-class spinners who do the heavy lifting at home. So, I knew, I would get one spell at max. This was my first overseas tour, and it was also my first experience bowling with a Kookaburra ball,” Akash said.
The Australian tracks appeared to transform him into a well-calibrated gun, seemingly unstoppable in his stride. Akash’s focus was on to winning games, nothing else mattered.
“I was enjoying bowling in Australia because I felt like we, the fast bowlers, need to win it for our team. Unlike home games, where spinners are heavily relied upon, we were expected to get breakthroughs (in Australia). So, you cannot get lethargic at any point in the game. One spell after another, you keep looking for ways to get wickets. It was challenging but this helps a fast bowler grow mentally and physically,” he added.
Dropped Catches Hurt
‘Catches win matches’ is an old adage in cricket. When Akash was firing on all cylinders in the Boxing Day Test, hoping to bundle out Australia for a low total, a couple of dropped catches off his bowling gave the hosts an opening to claw their way back into the contest.
Australia were 91/6 in their second innings when Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped a regulation catch, of Marnus Labuschagne, while fielding in the slip cordon. The Aussie eventually scored 70 as the hosts recovered to post 234 and India went on to lose the game.
“The game was in our favour. They were 6 down for 90-odd and that catch could have helped us fold them under 150. That catch could have made the difference. I wasn’t concerned about achieving a personal milestone, but if that wicket had gone into the team’s account, the outcome could have been different. That’s what left me frustrated,” he said.
As soon as the ball slipped from Jaiswal’s grasp, neither Akash nor captain Rohit Sharma could contain their emotions as they lashed out at the youngster. However, the pacer knows this is part and parcel of the game, underlining how brilliant Jaiswal is with his slip-catching.
“I had a back spasm yet I was doing my best to wrap up Australian innings as soon as possible. So, when Jassu missed that, I couldn’t hold it back. And what I said, you all saw. But he is a great fielder. He grabbed many brilliant catches in the series,” he added.
Consistent Bowling But Incommensurate Results
Though Akash has all the makings of becoming a gun bowler with the red ball, wickets haven’t come his way that consistently. He though takes pride in following the team’s plan of action to the hilt.
“A fast bowler, in his early stage, wants wickets, wants to deliver and contribute to a winning cause. And when things don’t fall into place, it frustrates you. But that’s not in our hands. Sometimes the best of your deliveries doesn’t get you a wicket but a poor ball does. But I’m satisfied with my bowling, whatever I’ve done so far.
“I could’ve got better results but I’m happy that I performed as per the plans. If Boom bhai is getting wickets from one end, then I’m supposed to hold the game from the other which I did pretty well. Individual success is temporary but contributing to the team’s success is permanent,” the pacer added.
Rohit, The Best Captain
A new kid around the block would be nervous in the presence of stalwarts like Kohli and Rohit. Akash felt blessed making his debut under Rohit’s wings last year in Ranchi. The pacer calls him the best captain in the world.
“Rohit bhai is the best leader in the world. No captain can be better than him. The best thing about him is he keeps the atmosphere of the dressing room very calm. As a newcomer, a cricketer is nervous and could get under pressure. But Rohit bhai never lets me feel that way. Right from my debut match, he had my back. He gives me freedom as a bowler, and if I struggle with my plans, he comes suggests his own to make my job easier,” Akash said.
Batting In The Nets
Kohli, who has seen Akash from close quarters in the RCB camp, probably knew his batting calibre and that may have played a part in him gifting the pacer one of his prized possessions. Having smashed some giant sixes for India, the pacer hopes to keep contributing with the bat as well.
“I’ve been getting batting time in the nets since coming to the Indian dressing room. That wasn’t the case in the domestic circuit because the management feared that a bowler might get injured if exposed to the bowlers in the nets. But with Team India, I look forward to improving my batting as well. The position where I bat at, I need to contribute as much as possible,” he added.
Injury Status
Akash complained of ‘stiff back’ that ruled him out of the final Test in Sydney. His recovery is on track and he will head to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in January end before returning to the field.
“Back is fine. Not much of a problem right now. I will head to the NCA at the month’s end. The people there will chalk out the future course of action,” Akash concluded.
