Fitter and better Akash Deep returns with a six-wicket statement, strengthens case for New Zealand tour
“God gave me this injury and I utilised it well” — these were the words of Akash Deep, who had to sit out for seven months without playing any sort of cricket. Since February, Akash Deep had been playing the waiting game, but he never got impatient and kept his focus firmly on his recovery. Midway through the year, it felt like Akash wouldn’t be able to return to the playing field this year. However, when the Rest of India squad was announced, it reignited hopes. The subplot of the recently concluded Irani Trophy was Akash’s comeback.
Generally, when a big chunk of the year is lost, individuals are often found to be upset about the injury that kept them on the sidelines. Surprisingly, Akash’s response was different. He felt that his body needed that ‘fix’.
“As I told you earlier, I felt that my body needed a fix,” Akash said as quoted by Cricinfo. “God gave me this injury and I utilised it well. When I went for training, I realised why my body was reacting like this. I utilised that time well. Diet, sleep, training, practice — I did everything properly.”
Injured fast bowlers can be out for a long time. Ask Jofra Archer, who spent nearly two years off the field before getting fully fit and making a comeback. Fortunately for Akash, it wasn’t that serious. The positivity with which he carried himself during his recovery was also reflected in his performance.
Despite making a comeback after a long hiatus, a laser-focused Akash was only concerned with getting his body used to the workload and finding some sort of rhythm. The spotlight was on him as he was said to be in contention to travel to New Zealand for the Test series. Thus, there was more pressure. For Akash, however, whenever he bowls, be it in international or domestic cricket, the right-arm pacer seems like a very relaxed character. Staying calm helps, and Akash’s six-wicket haul on his return proves that point.
No nerves. In his first spell, Akash announced his comeback by bowling a sharp bouncer to a Jammu & Kashmir tailender. It was only 130 kmph, but the line of the bumper made it difficult to sway away. Gradually, the speed also went up. Slowly, he found his rhythm. The next day, Akash found movement early in the morning and, with a floaty outswinger, removed Sahil Lotra. By the time he was called on for his second spell, one could see that the rhythm was right there. Not only was he bowling in the 140s, but he was also hitting the right lengths.
J&K’s Lone Nasir Muzaffar was hitting sixes for fun against Mukesh Kumar, who also bagged eight wickets and was the most successful bowler in the game. A toe-crushing yorker pinned the well-set Muzaffar in front of the stumps, with Akash getting some reverse swing on that occasion. His first innings ended with a three-wicket haul.
In the second innings, he continued from where he had left off in the first innings. Introduced into the attack in the seventh over, Akash trapped Qamran Iqbal leg-before with a delivery that moved sharply after hitting the deck. With the first ball after lunch, he sent back Shubham Khajuria. Soon into his second spell, Akash bowled in the fourth-stump line to edge out Lotra again. There was hardly anything the J&K batter could have done differently on that occasion.
The hallmark of Akash’s comeback was the intensity with which he bowled, without showing any sort of discomfort.
Nearly 15 overs in the first innings and nine in the second gave Akash some much-needed game time after spending months at the CoE.
In the first place, he never lost his place in the Test side. So, his return only makes sense. The conditions in New Zealand will be tailor-made for his style of bowling. The selectors and team management know that, which is why, after this six-wicket haul, Akash has all but sealed his place in the Test squad for the New Zealand tour.
At the picturesque Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium, Akash made a beautiful comeback, showing how good he is and the skill set he possesses.
He looks ready, and now it’s about time he gets a recall.
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