Akash Deep: Grateful to Start Under Rohit Sharma's Unique Leadership

Synopsis

Amidst challenges faced by Rohit Sharma's captaincy following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Akash Deep expressed his gratitude for starting his career under Rohit's leadership, highlighting the uniqueness of his style and the supportive approach of coach Gautam Gambhir.

Key Takeaways

Akash Deep praises Rohit Sharma's leadership style.
Rohit faced criticism for his performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Akash reflects on his learning experience from his first tour to Australia.
He emphasizes the importance of continual improvement in his game.
Akash is recovering from back issues and plans to resume training soon.

New Delhi, Jan 16 (NationPress) In the face of criticism regarding Rohit Sharma's captaincy following a disappointing 1-3 outcome in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Indian right-arm pacer Akash Deep expressed admiration for the opener's leadership, stating he hasn't encountered a captain like him before.

Rohit has been subject to ongoing criticism for his repetitive captaincy and lackluster batting performance during the tour of Australia. After missing the initial match in Perth due to the birth of his second child, Rohit managed to score no more than 10 runs in five innings before deciding to rest during the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He concluded the series with a total of just 31 runs, leading to public scrutiny over his performance.

In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Akash commended Rohit's leadership and coach Gautam Gambhir's method, stating, "I feel incredibly fortunate to have started my career under Rohit (Sharma). His straightforward approach to leadership is unparalleled. Gambhir sir's motivation and the freedom he provides to players significantly ease mental pressure on us."

Having made a remarkable Test debut against England last year, Akash participated in two Tests against Australia. In the Gabba Test, he secured three wickets across two innings, while in the Melbourne Test, he only managed two wickets.

Reflecting on his debut experience in Australia, the 28-year-old pacer shared, "I gained immense knowledge from this tour since I had previously only played Test cricket in Indian conditions where bowling wasn’t as critical. In Australia, my experience as a fast bowler was invaluable, enhancing both my mental and physical game. Despite fatigue, our focus was to deliver long spells for the team."

He emphasized the necessity for continual improvement, expressing dissatisfaction with his performances during his first Australian tour. "Complacency would hinder my progress. I recognize that there are still facets of my game that need enhancement, and I am actively working towards that," he stated.

"This being my inaugural tour to Australia meant I lacked the experience in those conditions to identify additional skills to incorporate into my bowling. I believe I must further hone my abilities in pitch and batsman analysis, as well as understanding the prevailing conditions," he added.

Akash was unable to participate in the final Test against Australia due to back issues, according to head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Providing an update on his injury status, the pacer reassured that he is fine and plans to resume training after a two-week hiatus. "I’m currently resting, and there’s no injury. Having played Test cricket for an extended period, my body requires rest, which is essential. I have two weeks of recovery ahead, after which I will commence my training," said Akash.