“DID NOT ANTICIPATE A TEST CALL-UP ARRIVING THIS SOON,” EXPRESSED AKASH DEEP
During his latest Ranji Trophy fixture for Bengal on Saturday, Akash Deep received the news he had been eagerly anticipating.
India had announced their squad for the last three Tests against England, and the Bengal pacer had been called up to replace Avesh Khan.
I was hopeful that I might receive a Test call-up in the near future if I continued performing well, but I didn’t expect it to come as soon as the third match,” Akash told PTI.
The call-up serves as a reward for Akash’s hard work in the domestic circuit, where he has claimed 103 wickets in 29 matches for Bengal since his debut in 2019.
His standout performance of 11 wickets in two unofficial Tests against England Lions last month further boosted his credentials.
Akash Deep was also part of the ODI squad on India’s recent tour of South Africa, where he gained valuable insights despite not making his debut.
“Inswing is my stock delivery, but at this level, you need to master outswing and reverse swing, and most importantly, control the swing,” he remarked.
“I realized during my time with the ODI squad in South Africa that, more than skill, it’s about mental strength and executing plans under pressure.”
At 27, Akash finds himself at a stage in his career that he had always dreamed of, despite facing numerous challenges along the way.
Growing up in Bihar, where cricket opportunities were limited and often discouraged, he faced skepticism from both society and his own family.
“In Bihar, there was no platform for cricket, especially where I came from, Sasaram.
Many parents advised their children not to associate with me because I only played cricket, neglecting studies,” Akash revealed.
Despite the adversity, tragedy struck when his father and brother passed away within six months, leaving him with the responsibility of supporting his family.
Determined to make ends meet, Akash juggled between playing leather-ball matches for his club and participating in tennis-ball matches across the district to earn a livelihood.
In Rajkot, Akash will join a dressing room where he’ll find a familiar face in fellow Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar.
“It’s a matter of pride for both myself and Mukesh bhai to represent Bengal together in the Indian dressing room,” Akash Deep expressed.
“Bengal has given us everything, and this national call-up is my way of showing gratitude to the state.”
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