Akash Deep, the rising star of Indian cricket, recently received a heartwarming gesture from none other than Virat Kohli. During the opening Test against Bangladesh, Kohli surprised Deep with a brand-new bat, leaving the young pacer overwhelmed with gratitude.
Deep, who made his Test debut against England earlier this year, has impressed with his performances so far. In his second Test, he picked up two wickets against Bangladesh, showcasing his potential as a reliable fast bowler.
In an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, Deep shared his experience of receiving the bat from Kohli. “I was in my hotel room when I heard a knock on the door. To my surprise, it was Virat Kohli standing outside,” Deep recalled. “He walked in, carrying a brand-new bat and asked, ‘Do you need a bat?'”
Overwhelmed by the unexpected gesture, Deep eagerly nodded. “I immediately took out a pen, requested an autograph on the bat, and gave Virat a hug,” he said. “I will never play with that bat. It’s a huge gift from Virat bhaiya, and I will keep it as a souvenir.”
Deep also spoke about his rapport with captain Rohit Sharma, who he described as a “different kind of captain.” “He is the best captain I have played under,” Deep said. “He is just a cool and calm person. He keeps things so simple and easy for every player.”
Deep’s impressive performances have earned him a place in the squad as a replacement for the experienced Mohammed Shami. “Responsibility—that’s what I feel in the absence of a veteran bowler,” Deep said. “Fulfilling that role and performing is a big challenge, and I feel that responsibility.”
The young pacer has also had the opportunity to share nets with Jasprit Bumrah, one of the world’s leading fast bowlers. “I regularly talk to him and observe his bowling,” Deep said. “I take a lot of tips from him and have learned a lot.”
Deep’s focus on reading batsmen and adapting to different conditions has been key to his success. “Every batsman plays in a different zone,” he said. “As bowlers, we need to keep track of that, analyze it, and bowl accordingly.”
With his impressive performances and the support of senior players like Kohli and Sharma, Akash Deep is poised to become a vital part of India’s bowling attack in the years to come.
