Is Akash Deep the 'lambi race ka ghoda' of Indian cricket?

New Delhi, July 8 (NationPress) Following a rain delay that pushed the start of day five’s play at Edgbaston back by an hour and 40 minutes, excitement was palpable among fans as 80 overs of play became possible. Although an England victory seemed unlikely, the hosts clung to a sliver of hope for an improbable draw.

Yet, their aspirations for a drawn result were dashed by the quiet but unwavering presence of Akash Deep, who emerged as the unexpected hero in India’s overseas Test victory. Making his debut in the playing eleven at Edgbaston to replace the rested Jasprit Bumrah, Akash delivered a spell that not only dismantled England’s batting lineup but also illuminated the future of Indian cricket.

With impressive figures of 10-187—his first ten-wicket haul in just his eighth Test, which included a remarkable 6-99 in the fourth innings—Akash was instrumental in securing a resounding series-tying 336-run win for India, marking the first-ever Test match triumph by an Asian team at Edgbaston.

For those who have followed Akash’s cricketing journey, particularly through his time with Bengal, his stellar performance at Edgbaston was not entirely surprising—it was a fulfillment of the potential they recognized in him while he navigated Bengal’s cricketing landscape.

“Everyone who has witnessed him bowl is not taken aback by his performance at Edgbaston. I’m pleased, but not shocked. He’s exhibited this caliber before, particularly on batting-friendly pitches, consistently dismissing quality Test batsmen,” stated Joydeep Mukherjee, who identified Akash during his tenure as the director of cricket operations at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), in an exclusive chat with IANS.

Shreevats Goswami, a former Bengal wicketkeeper, shared similar sentiments, recalling how he recognized Akash’s extraordinary talent during a CAB indoor net session in 2019.

“I instantly realized that this lad is a remarkable find, a true lambi race ka ghoda (one for the long haul). After being picked for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games in Indore, he performed admirably by bowling at a brisk pace,” he said.

“I’m thrilled because I anticipated this, to be honest. It was about time such a performance unfolded given my close observations of his bowling. When the pressure mounts, he remains steadfast with his line and length, even when the pitch offers little assistance,” Goswami noted during his exclusive conversation with IANS.

One delivery from Akash that continues to circulate in cricketing discussions involved him completely perplexing Joe Root with a nip-backer that swung late, whizzing past Root’s outside edge before uprooting the top of off-stump.

Mukherjee emphasized that Akash’s dismissal of Root stemmed from invaluable lessons learned while being mentored by Waqar Younis and Ranadeb Bose, the current national junior selector, under the CAB’s Vision 2020 initiative, which catered to his training, nutrition, and living requirements after being selected from the second division cricket circuit.

“His greatest strength is his ability to bowl consistently from the middle of the stumps, enabling him to create angles that either swing away or come in. He and Mukesh have mastered how to utilize the depth of the crease,” Mukherjee explained.

“As a batter, one must be prepared for deliveries pitched in. However, Akash possesses the skill to angle wide and then seam the ball away, which is how he dismissed Root. His pace, physical condition, relentless approach, and precision during the Edgbaston match were exceptional,” Mukherjee added.

Goswami echoed this perspective, stating, “He effectively utilizes his crease, a skill that is increasingly rare among bowlers today. Just picture a great batter like Joe Root, who anticipated an incoming delivery, but instead, the ball held its line and led to his dismissal.”

“Sometimes, people underestimate his pace, but batters find him challenging to face due to his deceptive bowling and quick bouncers. He secures significant wickets and avoids dismissing tail-enders, which is crucial,” he noted.

Akash’s triumph at Edgbaston, characterized by precise accuracy, exceptional crease utilization, late swing, and an unyielding attack, is a testament to years of skill development on unresponsive Indian pitches. His bowling in England has been slightly fuller compared to his performances in Australia, a fact that impressed Mukherjee, who also spoke with the fast bowler after the match.

“What stood out to me was his length; commentators were praising it too. He consistently targeted the stumps, preventing batters from leaving too many deliveries. This reflects years of dedication to honing his skills,” he remarked.

Dismissing the aggressive Jamie Smith with a slow bouncer after being hit for two sixes showcased Akash’s cricketing intelligence, while getting the better of Ben Duckett in the first innings underscored the benefits of a well-executed classic setup. Against the left-handed Duckett, Akash bowled three consecutive balls targeting the same area, angling in from around the wicket.

On the fourth delivery, he again pitched the ball at the same spot but this time, induced it to move away, resulting in Duckett’s edge being caught. “It’s reminiscent of how Stuart Broad used to unsettle David Warner—getting a batter out through an edge in one innings and then clean bowling them in the next,” he added.

“This indicates that Duckett struggles to read his deliveries. The Bengal team had numerous left-handers, and bowling in the nets against quality left-handers allowed Akash to refine his bowling technique, with the results now evident,” Goswami concluded.

After the victory, Akash expressed his emotions, dedicating his ten-wicket haul to his elder sister, Akhand Jyoti, who is battling stage three colon cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. During his time with the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025, Akash ensured he was at his sister’s side in the hospital whenever he was in the city.

“I was aware of it, but it’s heartwarming to hear it from him. This situation arose two months ago, but he’s coping well. The sport may stay with you temporarily, but the person you are remains for a lifetime. He has endured tragedies—losing his father and an elder brother within six months,” Mukherjee stated.

“He’s a family-oriented, God-fearing, humble individual who consistently makes the right choices. If you speak to anyone in the Indian team, they will echo the same sentiments about him—a genuinely good and admirable human being,” he added.

Akash’s mental strength, forged through personal challenges, ensures he gives his all with every delivery he bowls, according to Goswami. “The hardships he has encountered in life have shaped him into a bowler who pours his heart into every ball. You can see it—his attitude and intensity are palpable. I also believe that if he maintains consistency in Test cricket, he may even score a century with the bat. That wouldn't surprise me,” he stated.

Recognizing Akash’s talent and promise during a minor club match, Dattatreya Mukherjee, a former fast bowler and Ranji Trophy winner in 1989-90, played a pivotal role in introducing him to the CAB’s Vision 2020 initiative. He continues to commend Akash, 28, as an exceptionally diligent player with outstanding work ethics.

“Whatever you ask of him, he delivers. For example, head coach Arun Lal instructed the fast bowlers to have dinner between 7:30 and 8 PM. Every day, he and Mukesh adhered to this guideline. This speaks volumes about his dedication to the game. That’s why success follows him,” he explained.

“It’s merely taken some time. He is deeply committed to his fitness, bowling, and diet. If the trainer advises against junk food, he follows it religiously. Therefore, when all the right elements align, success is inevitable. It’s simply a matter of waiting for opportunities and seizing them when they arise,” he concluded.

Years of relentless effort and discipline have borne fruit for Akash, who has become the first Indian fast bowler since Umesh Yadav (2018) to achieve a ten-wicket haul in a Test match. This blend of tireless skill development and unwavering dedication to his craft makes Akash’s ascent truly remarkable.

“He consistently aims for lbw and bowled dismissals, always attacking the stumps, which is crucial, especially against England, right? Because they are always on the offensive, if they miss, Akash will capitalize. He skillfully employs angles both around and over the wicket, which is quite rare,” he elaborated.

“With the angles he bowls, he can exploit cracks on pitches during days three, four, and five, which is precisely what he accomplished at Edgbaston. Having endured the rigors of the Ranji Trophy, he possesses a sense of ‘been there, done that.’ This just occurred against a different opponent, fueled by increased confidence due to the Indian emblem,” Goswami concluded.

All eyes will be on Akash when the third Test match commences at Lord’s this Thursday. Goswami is eager to see Akash open the bowling alongside Bumrah and create another extraordinary chapter in his cricketing saga that has taken him from Baddi village in Bihar’s Rohtas district to Kolkata, and now poised to showcase his talent at the iconic Home of Cricket.

“I want Akash to come in, immediately adopt a round-the-wicket angle, and get into Duckett’s head. I wouldn’t be surprised if this occurs at Lord’s. If the wicket is green, it will be even better; sometimes I've noticed he opts to release the ball rather than hitting it hard. If it’s a flat track, I anticipate no issues. If Akash encounters a slightly green and healthy surface, he will feel more assured in his performance at Lord’s,” he concluded.