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| Akash Deep (BCCI Photo) |
Akash Deep's Rise in the Duleep Trophy: A Masterclass in Seam Bowling
The game indeed proved to be a perfect stage, where Akash Deep defined a match-winning performance in the Duleep Trophy for India A against India B. Akash bowled incredibly and took 9 wickets in both innings, having given 116 runs. But two balls explained how he can outbowl batsmen.
First, there was Nitish Kumar Reddy, to whom Akash let loose late seam movement, just enough to make the ball jag back and clip the top of the off-stump. Then, there was Washington Sundar, whom he castled, having set up the in-seaming delivery with his consistent away swingers that breached the latter's defenses to rattle the stumps.
Asked about his favourite dismissal, Akash turned a straight face. "The wickets of Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar were the best for me. More so with Sundar, as we play together regularly, I wanted to bowl something different and it worked," he says, reminiscing the mind games that led to the fall of the left-hander.
Learning from the Best: Shami's Influence on Akash Deep
Akash's ability to plan dismissals is inspired by one of India's finest seamers-Mohammed Shami. Having spoken at length with Shami, Akash has come to acquire the art of keeping batsmen guessing, a skill Shami famously used to dismiss Ben Stokes in the World Cup. Akash explained, "Shami told me that when you bowl to left-handers, the ball naturally moves away from the shine. He told me not to overthink bringing the ball back in. Once you master that movement, it becomes a lethal weapon."
This was something Akash needed to hear from Shami, especially in his bid to create uncertainty in the minds of batsmen. "If the ball keeps going out and suddenly comes back in, it's a nightmare for any batsman," Akash added.
The Secret to Akash's Longevity: Fitness and Focus
While his ability to swing the ball both ways indeed made headlines, Akash's endurance was equally noteworthy. He bowled a marathon 41 overs in both innings combined, more than any other bowler in the match. He credits this to the conditioning work he underwent at NCA.
"My last proper game before this was my Test debut in March. The IPL didn't offer much opportunity, as I played just one match. As a fast bowler, staying fit and sharp after such long gaps is tough, but the intense preparation at the NCA helped me stay in rhythm," he shared.
This attention to detail in fitness and match preparation keeps Akash in top gear for any game at any point in time, after long spells of no cricket. "It's all about muscle memory. Practice games at the NCA replicated real match situations, which kept me ready for the grind of first-class cricket."
What Next for Akash Deep?
A fine performance in the Duleep Trophy, and Akash has thrown his hat into the ring as a probable player for the home Tests, particularly if Mohammed Shami does not recover in time. Of course, there is speculation over his making it to the playing XI, but Akash remains unfazed.
"I take every match as if it's my last. I don't think too far ahead. My focus is always on the present-on my process. Right now, I'm thinking about how to recover well after this game," Akash said with maturity, echoing his commitment to continuous improvement.
The Hunger to Keep Learning
The secret to success for Akash lies in never being quite satisfied with his performance. "The moment you feel satisfied, you stop growing. For me, it's not just about the wickets or the results. It's about how well I executed the ball I wanted to bowl, and what I can do better next time."
The mindset of remaining hungry to know and improve is what makes Akash different. Self-introspection to analyze each delivery is what will keep him evolving as a bowler and an important part of India's fast bowling arsenal in times to come.
Match Summary:
India B: 321 & 184
India A: 231 & 198
Result: India B won by 76 runs.
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