Former India player and chairman of the senior men’s selection committee, Chetan Sharma, shared a conversation he had about two young Indian bowlers as well. However, India are currently playing against England in a five-match Test series. And, Chetan Sharma praised Akash Deep for his display in the second Test and said that, along with Mukesh Kumar, he could be the future of the Indian bowling attack as well.
“I was only encouraging him (Akash) because I know. He came in the India A side. Himself and Mukesh. From day one I was telling all the selectors, these are the two guys who will be the future of Indian cricket if they keep working hard,” he said in an exclusive chat with Revsportz.
“I knew at all times that he was going through tough times. In such times, as a senior cricketer, you just tell them that okay, family is very important, without family we are nowhere. But along with that we have to see how we can play good cricket. If you do well for the country the entire family is happy. I just told him that you are the best, believe in yourself, you can achieve everything. You can look after your home, sister, and play good cricket as well. The guy who is going through rough period knows, we can only put our hands on their shoulders and encourage them. Telling things is easy but doing things is tough. This guy did it very well,” Chetan Sharma further added.
“I was on air when Siraj dropped his catch. I said I don’t think there are ten wickets in his destiny. Bumrah came close with nine wickets. Two players have nine wickets but could not get ten. When you come into the Indian team you pray to get a five-wicket haul. After five it is important for a bowler to get ten wickets. It is a massive achievement and remains as a big memory in your life. I was praying that he should get it. You don’t know when in life you will get this chance again. It is very difficult. I got to ten once and never got there again, so when you get close you should complete the haul. I am very happy that he completed the ten wickets,” he again said.
Chetan Sharma, while talking about what advice he would give Akash Deep ahead of the Lord’s Test, said that after the bowler gets comfortable with the slope on one end, he can try bowling from the other end as well.
“Initially, when you get the slope, Akash Deep runs fast like me, his run-up, follow-through, and he is quick through the air, it reminds me of myself. He is quick off the wicket and jags around. His ball was moving both ways off the wicket in the last Test. This is seen with very few fast bowlers. This movement will be seen from him at Lord’s as well. Once you you comfortable with the slope, assess yourself and if you feel you are running too fast down the hill, then try from the other end. Once you settle in the both will jag from both sides. He is intelligent enough to asses things. These kids are on tour often these days and can assess better,” he concluded.
