Five wickets in two Tests at an average of 54 might not look impressive, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Akash Deep exemplified how stats can sometimes be misleading. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, the Bengal pacer stood out as perhaps the unluckiest bowler.
Except for one spell in Australia’s second innings at the MCG, Akash was consistently on point. He gave his all, bowled in the right areas, troubled the batters, and repeatedly beat the bat, but the wickets he deserved eluded him.
Edges either flew through gaps in the slip cordon or fell short, and when he trapped batters on the pads, decisions often went against him due to ‘umpire’s call.’
After being sidelined from the final Test in Sydney due to a back injury, questions arose about whether Akash Deep would still be in the selectors’ minds when India’s Test squad for the England tour was chosen six months later.
At 28, an age considered a fast bowler’s prime, Akash Deep isn’t getting any younger. A BCCI official remarked that if he fails to capitalize his chances and secure a spot in the team at this stage of his career, it could be challenging to envision a long international career for him.
“In Melbourne, he was sometimes pitching it either too short or too fall. Besides, given his age, if he’s in and out (of the XI) at his age, that could go on to be the difference,” a BCCI official told The Telegraph on Monday.
“And then, he has a dodgy back which has been troubling him even before his Bengal debut (in 2019). That’s also another thing he has to look after.”
Akash Deep will become more resilient
Former Bengal off-spinner Sourasish Lahiri stated that while Akash Deep often beat the bat, his length wasn’t suited for taking wickets on Australian pitches.
“Initially, he was bowling back-of-a-length. But then, he didn’t take much time to find the right length: that six to eight-metre length which makes the batter think whether to play on the front or back foot,” Bengal U-19 head coach Sourasish Lahiri, having worked with Akash since the latter’s Bengal U-23 days, said.
“With his fast arm action, he bowled the stock ball (the one coming into the batter) quite well, troubling Steve Smith at the MCG. Yes, there were several plays and misses off his bowling. But this helps to boost your perseverance and makes you mentally stronger. He will learn that in Test cricket, you get nothing on a platter.”
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