Is time running out for Akash Deep as far his place in the Indian Test team is concerned? With the Bengal pacer failing to break into the playing XI for the recently-concluded Test series against South Africa, the 28-year-old from Sasaram in Bihar now needs to deliver strong performances in domestic cricket to remain in contention.
Akash last featured for India in the red-ball format during the Test series against England in June–July. He was the fourth-highest wicket-taker for India with 13 wickets from the three Tests that he played. Siraj was the highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets, followed by Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna with 14 wickets each.
India’s next Test series is scheduled against Sri Lanka in August, where the conditions will not offer much assistance to the pacers. So, Akash’s next real opportunity may come during the two-match away Test series against New Zealand in October–November 2026, provided he continues to perform in domestic cricket.
Shubman Gill and his boys then are set to host Australia, in a five-match series at home, in January–February 2027.
In his brief Test career, Akash has taken 28 wickets from 10 matches, including a match-winning performance at Edgbaston. He completed a 10-wicket match haul as India went on to win the second Test by 336 runs, claiming 4/88 and 6/99 in the two innings respectively.
After returning from England, Akash took a break from cricket. He spent time at the Centre of Excellence before making himself available for the Ranji Trophy season for Bengal. However, his performance has been fairly mediocre, picking up just four wickets in the two matches that he played—against Uttarakhand (0/53 & 2/79) and Gujarat (1/38 & 1/38).
In the four-day match against South Africa A, at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Akash managed to pick up only 3 wickets. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy game against Punjab, he and Shami were taken to the cleaners by Abhishek Sharma, with Akash conceding 55 runs in his four overs for two wickets.
Akash needs to deliver impressive performances in Bengal’s next round of Ranji fixtures against Services from January 22 and Haryana from January 29 to impress the selectors and stay in contention for Test selection.
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