India pacer Akash Deep reflected on his experience of bowling in England, admitting that it was far more challenging than he had expected. Akash emerged as one of the stars in India’s remarkable win at Edgbaston, where he delivered a stunning 10- wicket performance in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
In a conversation with CNN- News18 Cricket next, he opened up about the realities of English conditions and how they tested him during his debut series in the country. Historically known to support fast bowlers, the English pitches seemed to offer something entirely different to Akash. Sharing his first impression, he explained how he felt slightly deceived by the reputation of those wickets.
He even humorously compared the experience to a Bollywood film reference, saying, “Actually, when I was in India, I was very happy just thinking about going to England to play. I had heard so much about those conditions. But when I actually went there and saw the wickets and the conditions myself, it was very different from what I’d imagined. I recalled the scene from that Hindi movie (Run), ‘Chhoti Ganga bata kar naale mein kuda diya’. (laughs) That’s exactly how it felt.”
Adjusting His Strategy
Despite the lack of expected support from the conditions, Akash Deep focused on keeping things simple rather than letting pressure overwhelm him. He admitted that the English wickets offered neither swing nor seam, making run-scoring easy for batters. Teams frequently crossed 400 runs, which added to the difficulty for bowlers.
However, Akash adapted by concentrating on what was within his control. As he explained, “Because there was no swing, no seam movement, runs were flowing freely – teams were making 400-plus scores. But I still had to play that match. So, I told myself: the only thing in my control is to put the ball in the right areas. If I start overthinking the conditions, I’ll only put more pressure on myself. So, I stuck to that – bowling in the right areas, sticking to my strengths.” This mindset allowed him to remain focused and deliver a match-winning performance for India.
Impact and Future
By the end of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, Akash had secured 13 wickets at an average of 36.46, including his memorable ten-wicket haul that etched his name into Indian cricket history. His performances not only highlighted his resilience but also established him as a promising force in India’s pace attack.
At present, however, Akash is recovering from an injury, which has delayed his return to competitive cricket. Due to this setback, he was not included in East Zone’s squad for the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal against North Zone. His recovery and eventual comeback will be closely watched, as Indian fans eagerly await his return to action.
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