NEW DELHI: Frustration and disappointment were evident on India pacer Akash Deep‘s face as the 18-year-old repeatedly beat the bat, particularly against Steve Smith, during the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane.
Having missed the first two Tests, Akash Deep was brought in to replace Harshit Rana. He impressed immediately with magnificent line and length, keeping fans at The Gabba on the edge of their seats.
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The crowd’s reactions—“Oooooo” and “Wowwwww”—echoed through the stadium as the young pacer consistently troubled the Australian batters.
Despite his efforts, Akash Deep managed just one wicket in the first innings, dismissing Alex Carey, and claimed two scalps — Nathan McSweeney and Mitchell Marsh — in the second innings of the drawn Test.
While India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-3 and subsequently missed out on a spot in the World Test Championship final, Akash Deep, who claimed five wickets in two Tests, returned from Australia with a wealth of experience and invaluable lessons.
In an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, Akash Deep opened up about his experience Down Under, bowling alongside Jasprit Bumrah, and his thoughts on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s form, among other topics.
Excerpts:
You caused significant trouble for the Australian batters, particularly Steve Smith. Can you share insights into that experience?
When I wasn’t playing the initial matches, I used that time to prepare myself for the upcoming challenges. I spent a lot of time in the nets. It was my first time in Australia, and the conditions there are quite different. The Kookaburra ball behaves differently compared to other balls. As a fast bowler, it’s crucial to develop a connection with the ball. You can’t suddenly pick up a different ball and start playing; it’s about understanding the release point and making adjustments. When I finally got the chance to play, it felt good to execute what I had prepared for.
What roles have Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah played in shaping your approach, and what lessons have you learned from them?
Bumrah bhai has been playing for a long time, and he’s one of the best bowlers. He’s known for reading conditions, batters, and situations effectively. He gives simple but crucial advice, like staying calm when you’re bowling well but not taking wickets. His approach helped me understand that consistency is key. There were times when I bowled well, but catches were dropped, or opportunities were missed. Having just started my journey with India, I want to contribute as much as possible. When wickets don’t come, it can be frustrating, but his advice kept me grounded. He told me, “You’re doing everything perfectly. Just keep bowling like this. The wickets will come, but you must remain calm, composed, and patient.” I’m really proud to have Bumrah bhai around. You can trust him blindly. He’s a big guiding force for me and all the bowlers in the team.
How did you handle the frustration of finding edges and beating batters without managing to get wickets?
As a fast bowler, you always want wickets. But I believe creating pressure for the team is equally important. Some days, wickets will come from bad deliveries, and other days, despite great bowling, they won’t. The key is to focus on your role and maintain pressure. Just as batters build partnerships, it’s a bowler’s job to break those partnerships and prevent big stands. I believe I played that role well in Australian conditions. While wickets were not entirely in my control, I managed to trouble the batters, control the flow of runs, and create pressure on them.
India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy under Virat Kohli and later under Ajinkya Rahane. What, in your opinion, went wrong for India under Rohit Sharma’s leadership this time?
We played good cricket, especially in the fourth Test at MCG, which went into the last session. It looked like the match would end in a draw. If we had managed to secure a draw, it would have put pressure on Australia. The series was locked at 1-1 before entering the fourth Test. Even in the fifth Test, we created chances. Despite scoring just 185 runs, we managed to take a four-run lead. The results didn’t go our way, but the cricket we played was commendable. Bumrah bhai’s presence could have been the turning point. We missed him in the second innings. If we had set a target of around 250 runs, Australia would have found it difficult to chase. However, we are happy with the way we played.
Playing in Australia and England is often seen as the ultimate test of a bowler’s skill. How has this experience helped you grow as a bowler?
Playing in India and overseas are two entirely different experiences. There’s a major difference in terms of planning, execution, and endurance. It’s challenging, especially with longer spells. In overseas conditions, you give your 200% because, after your initial spell, spinners usually take over, and your next turn might come after a long interval. Bowling consistently teaches you how to read batters and adjust your strategies. This experience has been mentally and physically enriching for me. Even if you bowl 20 overs in a spell, you go full throttle. I gained a lot of experience on this tour. It has made me a more mature bowler in terms of variations, line, length, and execution. I never bowled such long spells in my career before. The lessons I learned on this tour will help me improve further.
Jasprit Bumrah bowled more than 150 overs in the tournament. What are your thoughts on his workload and India’s reliance on him?
Bumrah bhai is like our Brahmastra (ultimate weapon). His spells are crucial for us. Every era has a standout player, and this is Bumrah’s era for Team India. Whatever he touches turns to gold. The team has immense trust and faith in him. He’s a world-class bowler who can perform in any condition or situation. He troubles batters and sends them back. He knows exactly where and how to bowl to each batter. For him, workload isn’t the priority; the team is.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s batting performances fell short of expectations during the series. How would you evaluate their contributions?
I didn’t see any difference in Virat bhai’s batting. I’ve played with him for more than five years. Sometimes, luck plays a big role. He’s playing the way he always has, but luck hasn’t been on his side. He scored a century in the series. If you watch his batting, no bowler managed to beat him; he just got out to outside edges. Big players like Virat and Rohit cannot be judged based on a single series. They were playing well, but cricket doesn’t always go your way. Their class is undeniable, and having played alongside them, I can say they were doing everything right.
Were you shocked by R Ashwin’s sudden retirement announcement? How did the team react?
Yes, I was stunned. Not just me, but the entire cricket fraternity was shocked. We were all choked up and emotional. Ashwin bhai is a player of great stature. I’m honored to have shared the dressing room with him for almost a year. I spoke to him on many occasions and learned a lot. He has left a big void. Junior players always look forward to spending time with senior players like Ashwin, Virat bhai, or Rohit bhai to gain cricketing lessons and take their game to the next level. We were all shocked and emotional when Ashwin bhai announced his retirement.
Rohit mentioned stepping aside for the team’s benefit in the final Test. What are your thoughts on his decision?
I’ve said this before and will say it again—there’s no better captain than Rohit bhai. He’s the best leader in the world. I’m lucky to have played under him. In the BGT, he played the way he always has, but luck wasn’t on his side. That’s what great leaders do—they prioritize the team over themselves. Rohit bhai’s leadership has always been inspiring, making it easier for newcomers like me to perform. He doesn’t complicate things. Sometimes, when things don’t go your way, a good leader guides you through those moments. Rohit bhai is that leader. He’s the backbone of our bowling unit. He always says, “Tu aise daal, agar ye karega to aise hoga. Tu daal, main hoon na” (Bowl like this; if he reacts a certain way, I’ll handle it). His support and encouragement are invaluable.
Fast bowlers like Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah have successfully led their teams. What are your thoughts on the challenges and responsibilities of being a fast-bowling captain?
It’s challenging, honestly. It’s about deeply understanding the game, which comes with experience. As a captain and bowler, you need to fulfill the team’s demands, bowl long spells, and take wickets. As a batter-captain, if you lose your wicket, there’s not much you can do. But as a bowler-captain, you can plan your spells and create opportunities based on the team’s requirements. A fast-bowling captain must balance their workload and lead by example.