Willow that saved the follow-on: When Kohli inquired of Akash Deep, "Do you want a bat?"
The emerging pace bowler in the Indian squad delivered nearly 88 overs (87.5 overs) and took five wickets during the two Tests he participated in within the five-match series.
New Delhi: "Who wouldn't want it, Bhaiyya?" was the only response a bashful Akash Deep could muster when Virat Kohli offered him one of his bats, which ultimately created a rare moment of joy amid an otherwise challenging tour of Australia for Team India.
The new pace bowling asset in the Indian dressing room bowled close to 88 overs (87.5 overs) and claimed five wickets across the two Tests he played in the five-match series. However, it was his follow-on and crucial match-saving score of 31 at the Gabba that drew significant attention. Despite this, India lost the series 1-3, relinquishing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. "Yes, that was Virat bhaiya's bat, the one with the MRF logo; everyone knows it," Akash Deep remarked, chuckling during an exclusive interview.
When asked about the events leading up to that moment, the Bengal fast bowler fondly recounted, "Bhaiyya (Kohli) himself asked me, 'Do you want a bat?'" "I replied, 'Yes, Bhaiyya, who wouldn't want a bat from you?' Then he handed it to me," Akash Deep remembered. The 28-year-old acknowledged that it felt daunting to directly request such a prized possession from a senior player like Kohli.
"I have been around Bhaiyya (Kohli) for a while now (as teammates in Royal Challengers Bengaluru). However, there's always that hesitation in the back of your mind about whether it's appropriate to ask for a bat from someone of Virat bhaiyya's caliber. Especially during matches, when he is focused and in his zone, you don't want to interrupt him, but Bhaiyya generously offered me the bat," he expressed, clearly pleased with that gesture.
In reflecting on his last-wicket partnership of 47 runs with Jasprit Bumrah during the drawn Test in Brisbane, the cricketer from Sasaram expressed clarity in his approach.
"On that day, my mindset was focused on enduring any physical blows without getting out. My priority was to score runs and to bat for as long as possible. The thought of avoiding the follow-on wasn’t my main concern," Akash Deep articulated his mindset.
"I understood that the longer I batted, the less time our other batsmen would need to spend at the crease in the second innings. I was seeing the ball well that day," he added.
His performance received widespread praise from his teammates, but what truly delighted Akash Deep was the response from Indian fans. "I will cherish that moment forever. I never anticipated that my batting would bring relief and joy to so many millions that day."
"That evening, I learned through social media just how happy people were. The atmosphere in the dressing room was certainly upbeat," he noted. Although he may not have taken more than five wickets, his contributions of nearly 30 overs (29.5) in the first innings at the Gabba and another 26 overs in Melbourne earned him a reputation as a workhorse. Akash Deep faced some misfortune as crucial catches were dropped from his potent deliveries.
"Rohit bhaiyya had immense faith in my ability to take wickets at any moment. He often tells me, 'I believe you can take a wicket with every ball,'" he shared with pride. The instructions from the captain and team management were straightforward—he was to maintain a consistent line and allow the pitch and batters to do the rest. "I was advised that if I wasn’t taking wickets, my role was to contain runs from one end, slow down the game, and keep things under control," he explained. "My goal was to uphold discipline, bowl in effective areas, and wait for the batter to make a mistake, regardless of whether the ball was new, semi-new, or old," he concluded.