Bengal pacer Akash Deep, who missed the Duleep Trophy after suffering an impact injury during the final Test against England at The Oval, is now ready to return to action. He confirmed that he will resume bowling from Sunday as his body has completely recovered after the demanding tour of England.
Where his 10-wicket haul at Edgbaston became one of the brightest moments of his career. Speaking at the Cricket Association of Bengal’s annual awards function, where he was honoured by Sourav Ganguly, the 27-year-old explained the short break from cricket.
“There was no injury, just an impact. I will start bowling tomorrow. I’m feeling good. I have been playing constantly for six months, so the body needed a bit of rest,” Akash Deep told reporters. He also stressed on the intensity of overseas tours, saying, “When you go to England or Australia, it’s tough to play five matches. You have to be mentally and physically stronger.”
Akash Deep Reflects On England Tour Heroics
The fast bowler played a crucial role in India’s five-match series against England, delivering 109.1 overs across three Tests and claiming 13 wickets. His standout performance came at Edgbaston, where he picked up ten wickets in a single match, a feat that established him as a dependable pacer. Apart from bowling, he also contributed with the bat, scoring a gritty 66 at The Oval which played a significant role in India’s narrow six-run win, allowing them to level the series 2-2.
Recalling his achievement, Akash Deep said, “I never thought of taking 10 wickets when I was picked. I just had to bowl in my areas and stick to my discipline. Some days you get results, some days you don’t. That day it was mine. But the bigger thing was that the team won after I took 10 wickets—that was the greater achievement.”
On the topic of workload management, particularly in comparison to senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah, he said, “It’s not in my hands. It depends on the team staff and physios, they manage these things. It’s a team game. Whoever gets to play is focused on winning the match.”
Deep Shares Future Goals
Though his batting cameo at The Oval gained attention, Akash Deep made it clear that his primary focus remains on bowling. “If the team needs my batting, I will bat. My dream is to bring my best version and improve myself so that I can play across formats. But the 66 at The Oval was important—I would always like to win the match with my bowling,” he clarified.
Coming from Sasaram in Bihar, Akash Deep now looks forward to regaining his full rhythm in the nets. With the West Indies Test series approaching, he is eager to prove his fitness and strengthen his claim for a place in the playing XI.
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