Akash Deep, the Indian fast bowler, has recently spoken about the physical and mental challenges of participating in demanding overseas cricket tours, particularly those in Australia and England. His reflections come after a grueling period where he showcased his talent but also had to navigate personal hardships.

Deep highlighted the difficulty of playing five consecutive matches in countries like England and Australia, emphasizing the need for robust mental and physical strength. He acknowledged that maintaining peak performance throughout such tours requires careful management of workload and recovery.

Navigating Personal Challenges

Before the Test series against England, Akash Deep faced significant personal challenges. His sister's battle with cancer required him to spend considerable time in the hospital, disrupting his sleep, diet, and training regimen. This made it hard to prepare for the demanding tour. "How do I survive five Tests? It was tough," Akash Deep recalled, noting how his training was disrupted for over a month due to his sister's treatment.

Despite these difficulties, he found a way to contribute significantly to the team. A brief India A tour before the series provided him with a crucial 10-15 days of preparation, which he used to rebuild his stamina and sharpen his skills.

Performance in England

Akash Deep's efforts culminated in a notable performance in England, where he played in three of the five Test matches. He took 13 wickets, including a match-winning 10-wicket haul in Birmingham. He also contributed a valuable 66 runs at The Oval.

Reflecting on his 10-wicket haul, Akash Deep attributed it to discipline and fortune. He said he focused on bowling in the right areas without overthinking the outcome. "Some days you get results, some days you don't. That day was mine," he stated, emphasizing that the team's victory was more important than his individual achievement.

In addition to his bowling prowess, Akash Deep demonstrated his batting capabilities, particularly during the final Test at The Oval. Promoted as a nightwatchman, he scored a crucial 66 off 94 balls, forming a 107-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal. This innings helped India extend their lead and secure a series-clinching win.

Akash Deep revealed that his plan as a nightwatchman was to bat for time and capitalize on the bowlers' frustration. He aimed to contribute to the team's total, recognizing the importance of lower-order runs in Test cricket.

Words of Wisdom

Akash Deep has also spoken about the influence of senior players like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni on his career. He revealed that Kohli always encouraged him to put relentless effort into practice, while Dhoni emphasized that confidence comes from practice. These insights helped him to remain mentally strong and confident, especially in the challenging conditions in England.

Workload Management and Future Plans

Following the England tour, Akash Deep had to miss the Duleep Trophy to recover from an impact injury sustained during the final Test at The Oval. He emphasized the importance of rest and recovery after playing continuously for six months.

Akash Deep is now focused on regaining full fitness and preparing for future Test series, including the upcoming series against the West Indies. He has resumed net sessions and is working on his bowling and stamina. While he is ready to contribute with the bat if needed, he is clear that his priority is to win matches with the ball.

IPL 2025 and Beyond

Akash Deep was acquired by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for INR 8 crore for IPL 2025. He sees this as a new chapter in his career and is eager to contribute to the team's success. He is also looking forward to working with Zaheer Khan, who is mentoring the LSG team.

Akash Deep's journey from domestic cricket to the international stage has been marked by perseverance and determination. Despite facing personal hardships and the rigors of international tours, he has consistently strived to improve and contribute to the team's success. His reflections on the mental and physical demands of overseas tours offer valuable insights for aspiring cricketers.

On August 30, 2025, Akash Deep received a special award from the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for his performance in the Test series in England. Former BCCI and CAB president Sourav Ganguly praised Akash Deep and congratulated him on the award.