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When Indian pacer Akash Deep was selected for the England tour, he had no idea of the incredible journey that lay ahead. What started as a promising opportunity turned into a dream tour, and the 28-year made the most of it with his impactful performances. Akash Deep was a key player in India's just-concluded Test series against England which was levelled at 2-2. He was a force to be reckoned with, taking 13 wickets in just three matches, including a four-wicket haul and a five-wicket haul. But he didn't just shine with the ball, he also surprised everyone with a maiden half-century in the second innings of the final Test at The Oval. Coming in as a nightwatchman, Akash played an aggressive knock, scoring 66 runs before being dismissed, which was instrumental in India's thrilling six-run win.
During an exclusive interview with Sports Tak, Deep spoke about his experience during the Test series against England. He also talked about how crucial advice from Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni brought the best out of him.
Akash Deep on Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir's advice
While talking about the key tips he received from Kohli, Akash said:
"Virat bhai always tells me 'practice makes a man perfect'. He also advised that if you have any doubts about something, you should practice it so much that the doubts vanish completely."
Dhoni, on the other hand, told Akash, "cricket is a game of confidence, and that confidence comes with practice."
The Bihar-born bowler also spoke highly of India's head coach Gautam Gambhir's support, stating that while a player at that level has already learned a lot, they still need confidence and motivation. He said Gambhir is excellent at giving confidence, often telling players, "You have something within you that you don't even know, and you can achieve great things in cricket." He believes this kind of motivation is a huge confidence booster.
Akash Deep on crucial final day and team spirit
Speaking about the final day of the match, Akash said:
'It was an extremely important game, and that particular day was even more crucial. We were already trailing behind in the series and, despite playing well, the results weren't going our. However, in the end, it's the result that matters. There were moments when the wicket felt very flat and we thought we might lose. But when the moment came and the ball started to swing, and the Indian crowd began cheering for them, we realised we could could win. The continuous cheering from Siraj, KL Rahul, and Akash made a huge difference, filling them with positive energy," he added.
Akash's journey to the top is a testament to his incredible resilience. At the young age of 19, he faced immense personal tragedy, losing both his father and older brother within six months. This left him as the sole provider for his mother and sisters, forcing him to put his cricketing dreams on hold. For three years, he worked a demanding job near Bihar's Sone river, loading sand for a meager Rs 150 a day. His determination, however, never wavered, and he eventually moved to Kolkata to pursue his passion for cricket, ultimately leading him to where he is today.
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