Akash Deep's impact makes life easier for Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, claims Zaheer Khan

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan lauded young fast bowler Akash Deep for his stellar performance on Day 1 of the ongoing second Test against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team. He believes that the speedster is using the seam well, and it is a massive positive for the team, with the third seamer contributing this way.

Akash was the shining light for the India National Cricket Team on Day 1 of the first Test against Bangladesh. Although only one and a half sessions were possible due to rain, the fast bowler made sure that he made an impact for his team and put them in the driver's seat.

India bowled first and with overcast conditions, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj troubled the batters. But they failed to take the wicket early on. However, the introduction of Akash Deep changed the course of the game for the Rohit Sharma-led side as they picked quick wickets.

Akash bowled impeccable lines and lengths and removed both the Bangladesh openers. The right-arm pacer used the seam to perfection and even after his first spell, he was causing trouble to the batters with his fiery bowling. He picked two wickets and gave away 34 runs and also bowled 4 maidens.

Zaheer Khan was in awe of Akash Deep's performance with the ball. He said that it's a positive thing in Indian cricket, with the third seamer making an impact. He pointed out how the pacer has been taking wickets initially in his spell. Speaking to Cricbuzz, he explained:

"Which is a very good thing. If your third seamer, contributes in this way, then for your primary bowlers, it becomes a positive thing. You can see a good unit. If you look at it from that perspective, you have to praise Akash Deep. Because whenever he has got a chance, he has succeeded in making an impact in the initial time.

"And the things you see from him, that if you use the seam more, then even if you don't use new ball, you can contribute well according to the first change. So that is Akash Deep's strength and you can see a good unit when you look at the fast bowlers."

He is playing the game stump to stump and uses the seam well - Zaheer Khan on Akash Deep

Zaheer Khan further added that Akash likes bowling around the wicket and elaborated on how the pacer troubles the left-handers with seam movement. He also mentioned that good fielding effort encourages bowlers to give everything. He added:

"Yes, he definitely likes that angle. And from that angle, as a left-handed batsman, you always think that the ball will come in with the angle. But with Akash Deep, as I said, he uses the seam well. So when the seam hits the floor and if you use it well, then you can also see the movement. Also, the good support of fielding edges, you mentioned there, like Yashasvi Jaiswal.

"The second time that he took a very good catch, a low catch. He has been successful in slip cordon. So he definitely encourages bowlers to play the game, because you get that kind of support from the field. But the angle that you were talking about, Akash Deep is creating a very good angle. He is bowling stump to stump and uses the seam well," he concluded.