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'Didn't Expect A Test Call-Up...' - RCB Seamer Akash Deep After India Selection

image-lsh774k4Akash Deep [X.com]

Bengal seamer Akash Deep revealed his state of mind upon receiving a maiden India Test call-up ahead of the final three Tests against England on Saturday (February 10). Rewarded for his terrific Ranji Trophy and India A performances, Deep, however, said he wasn't expecting a Test call-up this early. 

The 27-year-old medium pacer, who has bagged 103 first-class scalps in 29 matches at an average of just 23.18, backed his Bengal feats with a highly impressive run of four-day games for India A against the touring England Lions recently, taking 13 wickets in three unofficial Tests. 

Speaking to PTI after surprisingly pipping Madhya Pradesh pacer Avesh Khan to the backup seamer's slot in the Test squad, he said, "I was hopeful that in the near future I might get a Test call-up if I keep performing but I didn't expect that it would come by the third match itself."


Akash Deep Speaks After Maiden Test Call-Up 

Making his senior domestic debut in 2019, Deep has been on the selectors' radar for quite some time. The young uncapped pacer travelled to China in September with the alternate Indian T20I squad for the Asian Games and also to South Africa in December for the ODI series. 

While in the rainbow nation, Deep said he took some valuable lessons home from the trip and has implemented them over the past few weeks in his Ranji fixtures for Bengal and with the India A side. 

"Inswing is my stock delivery, but at this level, you need to have outswing and reverse swing and more importantly need to control the swing," he said. 

"I was in the ODI squad in South Africa and realised that more than skill, at this level, it is more about mental strength of being able to execute plans under pressure," Deep added. 

An immediate debut is unlikely for the pacer but he stands a chance to observe ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah put a stranglehold on English batters during the third Test in Rajkot, starting Thursday (February 15), and spend time with the Indian spearhead to enhance his learnings and knowledge.