The cricketing world awaited India’s playing XI for the first Test match against Bangladesh with great interest. Of particular note was Akash Deep’s selection over the experienced spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.
Some may find this decision surprising, but it was based on strategic foresight and how Test cricket pitches are changing.
Pitch Conditions Favoring Swing Bowling
Moisture and Swing: Even a small amount of moisture can greatly impact how the pitch behaves. Famed for his ability to swing the ball both ways, Akash Deep turns into a useful player. Because of his skill set, India can take advantage of situations in the first overs that might not be as favorable for spinners like Kuldeep or Axar.
Bounce and Movement: The red soil on the pitch may give it extra bounce, which could be problematic for batsmen, especially those who are not used to it. Because of his height and bowling action, Akash Deep is a more versatile option than the spinners, who might find it difficult to get the same amount of movement.
Strategic Planning for Future Tours
Adapting to Overseas Conditions: The forthcoming tours of India will test the team in situations where a single or two spinners may be available. To prepare Akash Deep for these challenges, the team management wants to give him more Test cricket experience, particularly at home. This action guarantees that India will have pacers who are capable of holding their own against elite opposition when they travel.
Building a Robust Pace Attack: In addition to winning the current series, Rohit Sharma and Gambhir’s plan seems to aim to establish a potent pace attack moving forward. Selecting Akash Deep over more experienced spinners is a step in the direction of a well-rounded attack that can be used in any situation. This tactic may be crucial in a series where traditional spin dominance may not be as helpful.
Made his debut against England
At the start of the year, Akash Deep made his debut in the Test series against England. He was able to participate in the Ranchi Test.
Taking the wickets of Ollie Pope, Ben Duckett, and Jack Crowley on his Test debut made it an unforgettable one. In his opening over, he got rid of all three batsmen. Because of the birth of his son, Virat Kohli was not present for that series.
Akash Deep Got a Gift from Virat
Virat Kohli gave fast bowler Akash Deep of India a unique present. Virat and Akash Deep are both IPL players for RCB.
Before the commencement of the Test series, Virat handed Akash his bat. Bengal’s domestic cricket player from Bihar, Akash Deep, posted a photo of the personalized bat on his Instagram story. The 27-year-old Akash Deep also tagged Virat Kohli in his story, writing, “Thank you, Bhaiya.”
Took 9 wickets in Duleep Trophy
In the Duleep Trophy match between India A and India B at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Akash Deep also represented India A. In the first innings, the 26-year-old bowler claimed four wickets, and in the second, he claimed five.
Regarding Kohli, he last participated in the Test series versus South Africa. For the first time since January, Virat will be seen playing in Test cricket.
Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Shadman Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Taskin Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana
Bangladesh also Fields three Seamers
Two spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, have been added in the interim. Following his absence from the final four Tests of the series against England, KL Rahul also returned to the team. Instead of Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, who dazzled everyone in his debut series against England, was chosen over the 32-year-old.
After more than two years away, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is making a comeback to the Test team. However, Bangladesh used the same lineup from their most recent Test victory over Pakistan, which included three seamers Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, and Hasan Mahmud.