Indian bowler Akash Deep believes his first but significant tour of England went quite smoothly, thanks to a coach who had more faith in him than in himself, a captain who helped when things got tough, and conditions that seemed more like home than away.
Akash Deep’s performance that made him an overnight star was summed up by a 10-wicket match haul in one game and a crucial half-century in another, both in games that were won. However, he will never forget what head coach Gautam Gambhir told him following his 66 at The Oval.
“Tumko khud pata nahi tum kya kar sakte ho (You aren’t aware of your capabilities). ‘See, I was telling you, you can do it. You have to play with this dedication always’,” the 29-year-old recollected in an interview to PTI.
“Gautam bhai is a very passionate coach. He always motivates us. He believes in me more than I believe in myself, both in my batting and bowling,” he exclaimed after receiving his coach’s vote of confidence.
The Bengal speedster has found it simple to adjust to playing under Shubman Gill after making his Test debut under Rohit Sharma. He describes the new captain as quiet yet full of on-field ideas.
“He is a very good captain. It’s not like he is a new captain. He has already been an IPL captain for a couple of years, which is a big platform. That experience does count,” he said.
“With Shubman as captain, I didn’t feel like I was playing for the first time. He’s very supportive. When a captain supports you and understands things well, especially when you are down, it makes a big difference.
“I have played Duleep Trophy under his captaincy last year so it wasn’t the first time. He is a cool customer with a lot of ideas and when someone is calm, it helps in taking good on-field decisions,” Akash Deep explained.
For the majority of the series, Akash Deep felt as though he was playing on sub-continental wickets with little movement for quick bowlers, despite the fact that it was his first trip to England.
“In Australia, there was a lot of bounce and carry and I tried keeping it slightly back of length or at times pitch it up. However, in four out of the five Tests that we played in England, it didn’t resemble the typical English wickets that we have traditionally heard of or seen over the years.
“If you see, the ball wasn’t seaming or swinging a lot at times and we had to hit the India length, fuller one. We had to make that adjustment which, if you have played enough cricket, you should be able to do it.”
After that, Akash Deep focused on his visualization techniques and net routines before going into an actual match.
“Practice sessions are very important for me in terms of execution. I am always trying to think about the main opposition batter that I am supposed to bowl,” he revealed.
“Bhale hi main Yashasvi ko nets pe ball daloon, plan mera (Ben) Duckett aur (Joe) Root ke liye hota thaa. (I might be bowling to Yashasvi in nets but my plan was for Duckett or Root).”
Akash Deep said that he is doing his best to be fit when questioned about his fitness despite missing games during the tours of Australia and England because of niggles.
“The on-field impact injuries can’t be avoided. If you have to dive to save a boundary, you have to do it. You can’t think that I will hurt my shoulder and all. Yes, if it is fitness and training related injuries, the aim is to minimise them as much as possible,” he said.
Akash Deep has taken 28 wickets in 10 Test matches thus far.
Akash Deep responded that he hasn’t been told anything particular when asked if he has been focused on just the longer format of the game.
“We can’t just go and talk to selectors. They are experienced people and when they feel that they need me for any format, they would summon. My job is to perform and be ready for call ups.”
Before the England tour, his sister Akhanda Jyoti was diagnosed with cancer, making it an especially difficult period for the family.
He first visited his sister in Lucknow after returning to India.
“She was very happy. The treatment is a bit tough for all the patients. There are complications but with the series on for nearly two months and a family member playing, it kept her interested.
“I was thinking even if she felt the pain at times because she is keenly following my performance, at times you don’t think about it and good performances always makes one happy. When you are happy, even if there are multiple complications in the body for some time, you tend to forget,” he said.
After his return, he also purchased the luxury SUV of his dreams.
