The first round of the Duleep Trophy concluded with India B securing a dominant win over India A in Bengaluru. Despite the defeat, a standout performance came from India As Akash Deep, who impressed with a nine-wicket haul (4 for 60 and 5 for 56), showcasing his potential. As Akash prepares for the upcoming cricket season, he remains focused on refining his skills rather than resting on his laurels.
Akash Deep is emerging as a strong candidate to join Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as India's third seamer for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Despite making his Test debut in February against England, Akash has only played three competitive matches since. He featured in one IPL game for Royal Challengers Bangalore and participated in the first round of the Duleep Trophy. He also took part in the Bengal Pro T20 League, though those matches didn’t officially count toward his career stats.
In a post-match interview, Akash expressed his commitment to continuous improvement. "If you get satisfied as a cricketer, you will never learn anything. As long as I have the hunger for learning, I can never be satisfied," he said. He emphasised the importance of focusing on the process rather than just results, noting that there’s always room for improvement.
When asked about his chances of being selected for the Test squad, the 27-year-old pacer remained grounded. "Every contest that I play, I consider it as my last. I don't think too far ahead. All I have is the present," said Akash, reflecting his philosophy of staying in the moment.
He also credited his senior Bengal teammate Mohammed Shami for offering valuable insights into his craft. Akash revealed how Shami's advice on bowling from around the wicket to left-handers helped him develop a natural wicket-taking delivery, confusing batters and enhancing his effectiveness.
Akash's humility and eagerness to learn suggest he’s prepared for greater challenges, and his potential inclusion in India’s Test squad could provide a vital boost to the pace attack.