The preparation was basic and simple for Akash Deep in the lead-up to his Test debut last month. Undergoing sessions with bowling coach Paras Mhambrey since the third Test against England in Rajkot, Akash’s preparation was more like an extension of his training for Bengal ahead of a Ranji game.
When his international debut finally happened in the fourth Test in Ranchi, the pacer took little time to impress, striking thrice in his very first spell. Those three wickets — that of Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley — were all he finished his debut Test with, but the 27-year-old did make sure to prove how effective he can be if conditions favour quicks even a little.
Akash didn’t feature in the final Test in Dharamasala with his senior pace colleague Jasprit Bumrah returning to the side. But his performance in the first innings in Ranchi did have an impact at least on the kids of Sasaram in Bihar, who thronged in good numbers at the AB (Akash Baibhaw) Cricket Academy on Monday to catch a glimpse of him. A few also got a chance to pose for selfies with the pacer.
Akash, however, has his feet firmly on the ground. “I have had a good start, but yeh to sirf shuruwaat hai (It’s just the beginning). Just the beginning, nothing else,” he told The Telegraph on Tuesday.
“I still have a huge distance to cover. After just one Test, I cannot be over the moon. I know what my goals and objectives are, and that’s to play at least 50 Tests for India.
“In order to achieve that, I need to maintain this hard work which is crucial to cementing my place in the side. That’s what my focus is on at present. Nothing else matters,” Akash emphasised.
Being quite realistic, Akash didn’t feel bad one bit for not getting to bowl even an over in the second innings of his maiden Test. “Bilkul bhi budaa nahi laga (I didn’t feel bad at all). Conditions were such that spinners were required to bowl.
“Besides, in such circumstances and given the nature of the pitch then, if I bowled there was the risk of leaking runs from one end. So, the proceedings were all as per the team’s requirements. The team winning is all we look for because if that doesn’t happen, our individual performances also don’t get noticed much,” Akash explained.
Akash agreed that had the Ranchi wicket not flattened out, he could well have had a greater chance to pose a few more problems for England star Joe Root.
Nevertheless, one box ticked, Akash now looks forward to the other: mastering the outswinger/away-going delivery.
“I’m still striving to master that,” he acknowledged.
“To deal with the cut-throat competition, you need to have as many variations and weapons in your arsenal. If I’m equally good with the away-going stuff just as I do well to bring the ball back into the batsmen, I’ll obviously be an even better bowler.
“I remember having done well with that ball in the (Ranji Trophy) semi-final last year (against Madhya Pradesh). I want to do even better now.”
Having an opportunity to rub shoulders with Bumrah in the dressing room, did he get any suggestions from the ace pacer? “At this level, it’s basically the experiences of an established player and the mindset they operate with, which one can come to know.
“As far as the learning is concerned, you have to learn by yourself and put in the
effort to pick things up,” Akash said.
It’s IPL and Royal Challengers Bangalore calling now for Akash as he’s ready for
the quick switchover to white-ball mode.