Team India pace bowler Akash Deep shared that he ignored former head coach Rahul Dravid’s message ahead of his Test debut in 2024 as well. Dravid, who was the Indian head coach when Akash Deep debuted, messaged him the day before to inform him of his debut, but he, by his own admission, failed to realise it was Dravid until a few hours later as well.

Recalling the same in a recent interview on Panchayat Aaj Tak Bihar, Akash Deep said, “I got a message from Rahul sir saying, ‘You are playing tomorrow.’ His number was not saved on my phone, so I ignored the message. I was restless because I had a doubt about whether I was playing. When I checked the message again, I realised it was Rahul sir’s number. I called him and said Sorry, sir, your number was not saved, so I missed the message. I was happy, but I looked at it as an opportunity. I thought that this was the biggest opportunity of my life. Whatever I had done over 22-23 years, these five days were the examination for that.”

READ HERE: Shubman Gill Breaks Silence On ODI Futures Of Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli

Akash Deep, however, chose bowling over batting despite acknowledging his wish to evolve as a batter and make contributions to the team with the bat as well. He has been out of action with a back injury and also missed the entire 2026 IPL season as well. Akash Deep last played for India in their famous series-levelling Oval Test win over England in August last year as well.

“I cannot betray the thing that has given me everything. Bowling has given me everything in life, so I will always choose bowling. But whenever I get an opportunity to bat, I will take it,” concluded Akash Deep.