The young right-arm pacer Akash Deep could not speak enough about India captain Rohit Sharma, attributing the silky transition from domestic to international cricket as a result of the non-tense environment maintained in the Indian dressing room by Rohit.
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The 27-year-old, who had marked his Test debut with a three-wicket haul against England earlier this year in Ranchi, he was picked as the third seamer for the series opener at Chennai—and he surely answered the call. Akash took two wickets off consecutive deliveries with the new ball during Bangladesh's first innings. Before the second Test, he thanks Rohit and other older players like Virat Kohli for being instrumental in guiding him on the right track.
"When I came here, I witnessed a different level of dedication and hard work from the players who are legends of the game, and considered the gods of cricket like Rohit, Virat bhai," Akash told reporters in Kanpur.
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"I realized that they have achieved so much and are still working so hard during training. Their thought process is at a different level, this motivates me to work even harder."
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On the other hand, Akash has witnessed a lot of turbulence in his personal life. Loss of father and brother within two months must have taken their toll on his mental buildup, which is a vital asset for a cricketer constantly under international pressure. He further added, The simplicity with which Rohit chose to be as a captain made it relatively easy for him to cope up with the Indian setup.
"I had hesitation initially that there would be pressure, but Rohit bhaiya made things so simple. I haven't played under such a supportive captain. He keeps things simple, I never felt whether I am playing domestic or international cricket."The pacer from Bengal has a lot of clarity in his thought process and says that thoughts of the future do not bother him and living in the present is his guiding mantra.
Akashdeep further mentioned that when he initially started playing in the Indian Team he had a little hesitation but Rohit Sharma backed him and made things very easy and comfortable for him.
"In the last two years, I have played a lot of cricket. It's not just a three-month season for us. Even after Ranji, you play Duleep Trophy, Irani Cup. As a player, you need to understand yourself and know your strengths," he said.
'Putting Learning Into Practice': Says Akashdeep
"When we play at this level, we should not get confused that I played a certain style at that level (Ranji) and things are different here. I don't put too much pressure that I need to go to Australia and all that. I live in the present. It remains simple for me."Akash said he is ready for the challenges ahead, having gone through the rigours of domestic circuit.
"The domestic format is so good that by the time you reach this stage, you already know what to do. You know what you are expected to do. There is no confusion as such. The idea is to put your learning into practice. I don't find something new in it."
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Akashdeep made a big impact at the Chennai match, taking two important wickets in the first innings. That helped get the tone right for India, and it also sparked discussions about his potential long-term role in the Test team.
On February 23, 2024, Akashdeep’s journey reached a significant milestone as he received his maiden Test cap prior to the fourth Test in Ranchi, marking the day of his Test debut.