Cricket News

Akash Deep beats the odds to land India Test call-up

It was a special day for Akash Deep, the 27-year-old pacer from Bengal who is also representing Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. His name was present in the squad and the […]

Feb 11, 2024 11:41 am

It was a special day for Akash Deep, the 27-year-old pacer from Bengal who is also representing Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. His name was present in the squad and the Indian Cricket Board named him for the three remaining Tests against England.During the that the squad was declared, Deep was in the middle of a Ranji trophy fixture against Kerela. It was through his teammates that he came to know about his selection and that it will surely be a moment that he will cherish for the rest of his life. His inclusion in the setup was a confirmation of the fact that his performances in the domestic circuit were going unnoticed. In 29 first-class games, he has picked up 103 wickets with a brilliant average of 23.18. His recent performances in the unofficial Tests vs England Lions, in which he picked up 13 wickets in 3 games, would also have helped his cause.

Yet, despite having done well in the domestic arena, Akash Deep didn’t expect a Test call-up to come by just yet. “I was hopeful that in the near future, I might get a Test call-up if I keep performing but I didn’t expect that it would come by the third match itself,” Akash said while speaking to the Press Trust of India.

This will not be his first stint with the senior Indian side, having been a part of the ODI squad that travelled to South Africa recently. Akash Deep recalled the lessons that he learnt during that tour, including the fact that there needs to be emphasis given to building mental fortitude over raw skill as that will keep him in good stead under pressure. “Inswing is my stock delivery, but at this level, you need to have outswing and reverse swing and more importantly need to control the swing. I was in the ODI squad in South Africa and realised that more than skill, at this level, it is more about the mental strength of being able to execute plans under pressure,” he said.

“Playing cricket was a crime…”

Akash Deep’s journey to the Indian Test squad hasn’t been an easy one. Growing up in Bihar, he faced limited cricketing facilities due to the suspended cricket board. Societal disapproval added to the challenge, with parents even discouraging their children from associating with him due to his focus on cricket. Even his father initially desired a more stable path through government exams. Reflecting on these hurdles, Deep acknowledges the struggles he overcame to reach this significant milestone.

“In Bihar, there was no platform and especially from the place where I came from, Sasaram, playing cricket was a crime. Lots of parents would ask their children not to mingle with Akash as he only plays cricket and your studies would go for a toss. My father told me to appear for the Bihar police constable’s exams or at least try for the state government’s Class IV staff. He would fill up those government job application forms and I would go for exams and come back submitting blank forms. In my mind, while cricket was my passion, I just wanted to be happy and never thought about making it a career,” he added.

Given all the struggles that he’s faced, Akash Deep would be proud of himself for having made it so far. However, he will now have his sights on earning the elusive Test cap and making headlines along the way.