Akash Deep, an Indian seamer, made a brilliant overseas debut in Brisbane during the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test. Akash Deep's bowling was exceptional, earning praise from Australian great Steve Smith during the Test match.
The India pacer, who made his debut against England in 2024, has only played six Tests. In his short career, the Bengal pacer has never looked out of place, helping India collect up wickets with the new ball.
In the Gabba Test, the pacer took three wickets in his debut outing in Australia and appeared to be the Indian team's second-best bowler, trailing only Jasprit Bumrah.
Akash Deep described how experienced bats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli helped the young Indian pacers prepare for their debut tour of Australia. According to Akash Deep, Rohit Sharma and Kohli's criticism helped players like Harshit Rana avoid appearing inexperienced in their debut foreign Test match.
"This is my first time in Australia. I trust Jasprit Bumrah and the little inputs that he gives help a lot. The things that he says are not complicated and that clarity helps a lot. Like he said I do not get excited by the help in the pitch, and that helped me bowl well.
The fact that we do not look novices while playing our first match in Australia - a lot of that credit goes to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who constantly give feedback to the bowlers,” Akash Deep said at the pre-match conference.
Many regarded Akash Deep as unlucky in the third Test match in Brisbane, as the seamer failed to pick wickets despite looking quite dangerous on the moving day of the game.
In fact, Australian batsman Steve Smith named Akash Deep as the best bowler, claiming that the pacer possessed exceptional ability.
Akash Deep stated that he trusted his approach and that the outcome was not in his hands. The disciplined bowler, noted for his ability to hit a steady line and length, stated that he plans to continue to his ways in future Test matches.
"As a cricketer, we only have a process, the result is not in our hands. What I try to do is stick to my discipline, to my lines and length, and hope that it works out. It is good for us that Australia made changes. They have brought in a new batter (Sam Konstas) but we have played him. Nothing new for us. We don't think about who comes in, who goes out, our job is to bowl well and I want to do that," Akash said.
"Our mindset is to exploit the new ball. They are facing issues with the new ball. The plan is to attack in the first 30 overs," concluded the India pacer on the matter.
Akash Deep talked about Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and himself getting hit in the nets. He allayed those concerns and said that it was a part and parcel of their profession.
“We keep getting hit in the nets. That is fine. I think that the practice pitch was for white-ball, so it was keeping a little low. There is no concern with Rohit Sharma," concluded the pacer.
(ANI inputs)
