Akash Deep credits Mohammed Shami for his Duleep Trophy success
Akash Deep, a rising star in Indian cricket, made a significant impact in the 2024 Duleep Trophy opener. Despite India A's loss to India B by 76 runs, Akash's exceptional bowling performance of 9/116 across two innings was a highlight of the game. The pacer attributes his strategic approach to dismissals and ability to generate lateral movement both ways, to advice from seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami.
Akash's strategic dismissals and Shami's influence
Akash's strategic dismissals of Nitish Kumar Reddy (first innings) and Washington Sundar (second innings) were key moments in the match. He outsmarted Reddy with late seam movement that hit the top of the off stump, while he played mind games with Sundar before finally dismissing him. These strategies, according to Akash, were influenced by his conversations with Shami about keeping batters guessing which way the ball will move from the same spot.
Shami's advice on ball movement and Akash's implementation
Shami advised Akash not to overthink about bringing the ball in with the angle, assuring him that it will come naturally over time. He emphasized that if a bowler can consistently move the ball out and then bring it back in with shine, it becomes difficult for batsmen to predict. Akash implemented this advice effectively in his match against India B.
Akash's endurance and preparation at NCA
Akash's ability to bowl long spells even when there wasn't much happening off the pitch, was another standout feature of his performance. He bowled a total of 41 overs across both innings, the highest among all bowlers in this match. Akash credits his endurance to the conditioning work he undertook at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) over the past month.
Akash's focus on the present and continuous improvement
Despite his impressive performance, Akash remains focused on the present and is committed to continuous improvement. He views every match as potentially his last and concentrates on his process rather than future outcomes. "As a player, the moment you're satisfied, you won't learn," he stated, emphasizing that satisfaction should not hinder a player's desire to learn and improve. Notably, Akash has been selected for the upcoming first Test against Banglasdesh.
