India pacer Akash Deep has opened up about his decision to skip the ongoing Duleep Trophy, saying his body needed rest after six months of continuous cricket.
After being named in the East Zone squad alongside the likes of Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep withdrew from the prestigious red-ball tournament. There were reports suggesting that the right-arm pacer was nursing an injury, but he dismissed the rumours.
“There was no injury, just an impact. I’ll start bowling tomorrow. I’m feeling good. I’ve been playing continuously for six months, so my body needed a bit of rest,” Akash Deep told reporters on the sidelines of the Cricket Association of Bengal’s annual awards function.
Akash Deep has been a regular part of India’s red-ball setup. In the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, he played in three Tests and took 13 wickets, including a match-winning ten-for at Edgbaston. In addition, his innings of 66 at The Oval proved invaluable, as India went on to win the game by just six runs and level the series 2–2.
“When you go to England or Australia, it’s tough to play five matches. You have to be mentally and physically stronger,” he said.
The decision to skip the Duleep Trophy was made with Akash Deep’s workload management in mind, and the Bengal pacer made it clear that he has no say in deciding when he plays.
“It’s not in my hands. It depends on the team staff and physios—they manage these things. They follow a process; it’s in their hands,” he said.
In Kolkata, Akash Deep was felicitated by former India skipper and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly for his contributions during the England series.
Akash Deep is likely to be in action in October, when the West Indies tour India for a two-match Test series.
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