Akash Deep, the talented fast bowler, was elated after receiving an autographed bat from cricketing icon Virat Kohli. This special gesture came at a significant time as Deep is gearing up for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which is set to commence on September 19.
Deep, who has been making waves with his performance on the domestic circuit, shared his excitement with his followers on Instagram. The 27-year-old posted a picture of the bat signed by Kohli, accompanied by the heartfelt caption, “Thank You Bhaiya.” This moment was particularly special for Deep as he and Kohli are both integral members of the Indian squad for the forthcoming Test series.
Akash Deep made a notable debut in Test cricket earlier this year in February during the Ranchi Test against England. His debut was marked by a strong performance where he took crucial wickets, including those of notable English batsmen Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope. Deep's figures of 19-0-83-3 contributed to India’s victory by five wickets in that match, showcasing his potential on the international stage.
Despite his promising start, Deep had limited opportunities in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He played only one match for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against the Mumbai Indians (MI), where he did not get a chance to demonstrate his full potential.
In the domestic arena, Deep has been in excellent form. His recent performances in the Duleep Trophy were particularly impressive. Playing for India A against India B at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Deep delivered a standout performance with a four-wicket haul in the first innings and a five-wicket haul in the second innings. These performances have further solidified his reputation as a promising fast bowler.
Looking ahead to the Test series, Deep is part of a strong pace attack that includes established stars like Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, as well as newcomer Yash Dayal, who has received his maiden Test call-up. While Siraj and Bumrah are expected to lead the pace attack, Deep may have the opportunity to feature in the playing XI if the team opts for a three-pacer strategy.
Virat Kohli, who has been a key figure in Indian cricket and last played in the Test series against South Africa, was notably absent from the England series due to personal reasons. His gesture towards Deep reflects the supportive environment within the Indian team as they prepare for the upcoming challenges.
The first Test between India and Bangladesh is scheduled to begin on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This series is crucial for both teams, and Deep's inclusion in the squad and his recent performances have set the stage for an exciting contest. The anticipation surrounding the series is high, and fans are eagerly looking forward to seeing how Deep and the rest of the Indian squad will fare against Bangladesh.
