Akash Deep namedrops Kagiso Rabada after being compared with Mohammed Shami

Akash Deep, on Friday (February 23), announced his arrival in international cricket in style. The right-arm pacer made his debut in the ongoing fourth Test between India and England in Ranchi.

He replaced Jasprit Bumrah in the playing eleven and justified the team management’s faith in him. The Bengal pacer gave India a flying start by running through England’s top order. In his very second over, he castled Zak Crawley only for it to be called a no-ball for overstepping. However, he bounced back spectacularly.

After Ben Duckett and Crawley added 47 runs for the opening wicket, he dismissed the former and Ollie Pope in the tenth over to give India the early breakthroughs. Ten runs later, Akash Deep clean bowled once again and left England reeling at 57 for 3. The 27-year-old operated in the high 130s and low 140s throughout the first session and impressed one and all with his ability to trouble the batters with his line and length.

“Skiddy bowler. More pace than what I thought he had. Ran the ball back in with variable bounce. It was tricky as he was getting it to nip. It was tough,” Crawley said after the day’s play,

Akash Deep on comparisons with Mohammed Shami:

Akash Deep has started drawing comparisons with his illustrious state teammate and India star Mohammed Shami. His bowling style, line, and length have made many compare him with the senior India fast bowler. At the end of the day’s play, he was asked about the comparison.

In reply, Akash Deep said: “In my childhood, I didn’t know about cricket. From where I come, there is no cricket. I was playing tennis and cricket till 2007. In 2016, when I left from home, I started following Shami bhai. I watch him and Rabada closely.”

Talking about the game, a century from Joe Root helped England recover from 112 for 5 and finish day one on  302 for 7. India are currently leading the five-match series 2-1. England needs to win the ongoing game or register a draw to keep the series alive.