Akash Deep was first picked as a replacement for the injured Washington Sundar in IPL 2021. He didn’t get a game last year but just like Manoj Tiwary had said, he did manage to leave an impression on Virat Kohli and was later on picked in the IPL 2022 mega auction for his base price of ₹20 lakh by RCB.
Bengal pacer Akash Deep who made his IPL debut with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 15th edition of the extravagant tournament earlier this year said veteran India cricketer and Bengal teammate Manoj Tiwary told him that he if could impress Virat Kohli then he has a good chance of even playing for India.
Akash Deep Said His Ex-Bengal Skipper Manoj Tiwary Told Him To Impress RCB Skipper Virat Kohli To Play IPL
Bengal and IPL pacer Akash Deep lost his father & elder brother to medical negligence and several other relatives to Covid-19 but has risen over barriers to make his presence felt. Aakash Deep had a breakthrough Ranji season in 2019-20 claiming 35 wickets in nine games. In the recent Ranji quarter-final against Jharkhand, the Bengal team became the first team of which the top nine batsmen scored at least 50 runs in a first-class inning. Akash Deep smoked 53 not out off just 18 balls, including five sixes.
Bengal pacer Akash Deep, who hails from Dehri village in Sasaram, first lost his father in 2015 and, six months later, his elder brother. Both of them failed to reach the hospital in time when they needed urgent medical attention. Years later, during the vicious second Covid-19 wave, while he was in the Indian Premier League bubble, he lost his aunt and sister-in-law and almost lost his mother.
“Manoj (Tiwary) said, ‘Virat is India’s captain, and if you manage to impress him, you will get to play in the IPL next season and might play for India as well because you have all the ingredients to become a good fast bowler.’ That was my goal, and I managed to do well in the practice matches and was later picked in the auction,” Akash Deep said.
Akash Deep, who is leading Bengal’s bowling attack against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy semi-final, made his IPL debut against Punjab Kings. He was given the cap by none other than Virat Kohli himself. Akash Deep said it was a dream come true.
“As a kid, when we used to watch the likes of Kohli and Dhoni on TV, I used to think whether I would ever get a chance to meet them in my life. In my mind, they were like superheroes. And from the place I come from, in my wildest imagination, I never thought that someday, I would end up sharing the dressing room with Kohli. (Everything is a dream).”
“I was shocked that he knows where I am from, my journey, struggle, and everything. While giving me the cap, he said, ‘You deserve to be here. Just keep doing what you have done in the past. Just enjoy yourself, stick to your process.’ It was a very emotional moment,” said Akash Deep.
25-year-old Akash Deep hails from Bengal and made his first-class debut in 2019. Akash Deep was bought by the RCB for his base price of INR 20 lakhs. He impressed in IPL 2022, picking 5 scalps from as many games averaging 41. His economy rate was 10.88 and his best bowling figure was 3/45.
Akash Deep Followed Josh Hazlewood Everywhere
The 25-year-old pacer picked up 5 wickets in 5 matches he got to play in this year’s IPL. He relished the opportunity of sharing the dressing room with Australia’s experienced pacer Josh Hazlewood.
“Entire IPL 2022 was a learning experience for me, and the moment we were out of the bubble, I followed Josh everywhere. I spent most of my time with him. It was surreal because I used to watch his bowling on YouTube and now I was bowling in tandem with him.”
“Most of the discussions used to be about fast bowling. The off-stump line, his mental strength, how he sets up batsmen, his game preparation, workload management, how to deal with injuries,” he added.
A regular in the Australian team’s Test line-up, Josh Hazlewood is known for his pace, bouncers, and consistent performances. A clever and composed customer with the ball, Josh Hazlewood was picked up by the RCB at the IPL 2022 Mega Auction for INR 7.75 crore. He had picked up 20 scalps in IPL 2022 playing only 12 games averaging an impressive 18.85. His best was 25/4 this season. He was Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 2nd highest wicket-taker.