Only a few months into his new post-retirement life, some cricket games have become hazy memories for Manoj Tiwary. However, one incident the former Bengal captain recalls vividly is the revenge Ranji Trophy semifinal against Madhya Pradesh in February last year. “Akash Deep ne khol diya tha Rajat Patidar ko,” he says with pride. A fifer by the pacer had helped Bengal take down the reigning champions and reach yet another final.
“In domestic matches, when the chips are down, when not much is happening for the bowlers on slow, flat pitches, when bowlers look tired, you want someone to put their hand up and say ‘main daalta hoon (I’ll do it)’. Akash Deep is that kind of a player; he wants to take up that challenge. There have been countless instances where he has done that,” Tiwary elaborates.
That unyielding desire, combined with his skill to bowl accurately at pace, is what has molded Akash Deep into an international-level bowler. His journey, from the lanes of a small town in Uttar Pradesh to an international cricket ground, has been remarkable, according to Tiwary.
Growing up in Varanasi, Green Park was the first international cricket stadium Akash Deep had heard of. He had imagined that the ground must be exceptionally green to be named so. However, when he stepped into the stadium for the first time as an India cricketer on Tuesday, he did not see much of that color. Even the exterior fittings of the stadium had their green shade swapped out for teal.
India might look to drop one pacer in favor of an additional spinner for the second Test in Kanpur. Regardless of whether Akash Deep maintains his spot in the team, it’s unlikely that he will play a significant role in the Test. How harsh would this missed opportunity be for a young, in-form fast bowler eager to climb the ranks in the competitive fast-bowling lineup?
Akash isn’t too concerned. His understanding of his role is straightforward: “No matter how the wicket is, when I’m playing, my job is to bowl in the right areas. Even if the pitch doesn’t favor fast bowlers, I have to take wickets. So I have to make plans accordingly.”
During a 10-minute conversation two days ahead of the game, he emphasized the importance of ‘keeping it simple,’ a modern-day cliché that’s often mentioned but rarely practiced. Tiwary, his former Bengal captain, insists that ‘keeping it simple’ is one of Akash’s core strengths. He calls him a ‘blindfolded ghoda (horse).’
“When we play outside Kolkata, you want a bowler who bowls genuinely quick and in the right areas. In most parts of the country, we either get batter-friendly wickets or spin-friendly tracks. So you need them to bend their backs as fast bowlers. He is a blindfolded horse. Whatever you tell him as a captain, he obeys that,” Tiwary explains.
‘Keeping it simple’ had its benefits even in the conducive conditions in Chennai last week when Akash operated effectively from around the wicket against the left-handers in the top order. “In the first innings, there was a bit of assistance,” Akash explained. “I’m more comfortable bowling around the wicket; it’s one of my strengths. I bowled one over over the wicket but then switched back.
. The ball was swinging anyway, so I wanted to keep it simple, which helped. It wasn’t as if I aimed to take wickets right away; I just wanted to bowl in the right areas.”
Although Akash is only two Tests into his career, he has already left a mark in a bowling attack that features stalwarts like Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja. This was facilitated by his awareness of the role he was stepping into.
“To play for India is every child’s dream. It’s a matter of great pride but also a responsibility when you’re replacing bowlers who have contributed a lot to the country,” he said, crediting his captain for not allowing the pressure to weigh him down.
The India captain’s advice about keeping it simple resonated with Akash. “Initially, I was hesitant about the kind of pressure I’d be under when playing for India,” he said, praising Rohit Sharma. “There was some confusion. But when I stepped onto the field, (Rohit) bhaiya kept things so simple that I never felt like I was playing international cricket. I don’t think I’ve ever had, or will have, such a sorted captain.”
For someone whose ascent to the national team was driven more by his red-ball performances than IPL, Akash brings more than just pace to the table.
“What makes him stand out are the areas that he bowls,” Tiwary asserts. “We’ve seen numerous genuine fast bowlers come up in domestic cricket, but they lack consistency in the areas they bowl. Genuine pacers often tend to be wayward. His accuracy and areas are always very good.
“He has also continually learned and evolved as an individual. With a single variation, you can’t survive at the top level. He has improved in that aspect as well. And, of course, his hunger, dedication, and hard work have helped him. Even while playing for Bengal, one thing I always liked about his bowling was his tenacity to bowl at the same pace across the first, second, and third spells.
“Whether he plays the Irani Trophy or IPL, whenever he returns to play Ranji or one-dayers for Bengal, he gives 100 percent, nothing less. That sets him apart. Usually, when someone plays for India and comes back to domestic cricket, especially fast bowlers, they tend to take it easy. But he gives it his all. He understands where he comes from and what has made him. He is incredibly grounded and hardworking.”
The primary reason Akash featured in the Chennai Test was the team’s decision to play three seamers, coupled with Mohammed Shami’s injury. Having seized that opportunity, he can now hope for another shot in the team. While childhood memories might make his visit to Green Park slightly overwhelming, it’s unlikely that the pitch will offer much to tempt the fast bowler in him. But as Tiwary notes, maybe that’s a challenge Akash Deep will be ready to embrace, putting his hand up if given the opportunity.