On Akash Deep’s international debut in the Ranchi Test against England earlier in February, he got picked as replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the game. The Chennai Test against Bangladesh last month was Akash’s first time bowling alongside the Indian pace spearhead.
For the 27-year-old pacer from Bengal, what’s been more important than looking to try the variations in Bumrah’s arsenal is taking help from the world-class pacer in terms of clearing doubts and banking on his experience to deal with different situations.
“It’s not really about that (looking to try Bumrah’s variations). Jasprit Bumrah is a different kind of bowler,so it’s not possible to learn or follow everything he does when bowling.
“If there’s anything to ask him when it comes to dealing with a situation, I have done so... Just about small technical stuff or a few minor tweakings here and there (related to bowling). That’s all,” Akash, now three Tests old and with eight wickets in his kitty, told The Telegraph from Bengaluru late on Sunday evening.
“But yes, it’s always a good learning experience when you bowl alongside a world-class bowler. Whenever there is a slight confusion about anything, you can go up to him and talk to him about it. He has the experience, so he can share that with you. And if you feel you can apply that in your game, your task gets easier.
“So, for me, it’s certainly my good fortune that I’mplaying alongside him,” Akash said.
Not just Bumrah, even Morne Morkel’s presence as bowling coach in the Team India dressing room is benefitting Akash. “He himself was a fast bowler and retired not too long ago (the South African retired from international cricket in April 2018). So, he’s well aware of the recent developments, changes and happenings in cricket.
“He also understands the psyche of us quicks and we can relate to what he says, what we need to do and what should we be avoiding,” Akash said.
Spending more time in international cricket certainly adds to a player’s confidence and Akash has been no different, as he looks to trouble the New Zealanders in the three-Test series beginning in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
“I don’t look at the team or the player I’m bowling to. Doing so only adds to the pressure. I just look to bowl in the right areas, which is my strength, be it (bowling to) a proper batter or a tailender.
“So, it doesn’t matter to me whether it’s Australia or New Zealand or whoever. Agood ball can get any batter out,” he beamed.
What bodes well for Akash is his optimum utilisation of the new ball in all the three Tests he has played so far. “In Indian conditions, the new ball provides a pacer with the maximum opportunities for early inroads. So, I try to bowl as well as possible with the new ball and strike.
“A wicket or two with the new ball makes it easy for our spinners, so that’s what I look to do,” Akash said.
