Bengal’s Akash Deep is all set to make his Test debut, stepping in for Jasprit Bumrah alongside Mohammed Siraj for the fourth Test against England in Ranchi. Akash Deep earned his spot with an impressive showing, claiming 12 wickets in three matches against England Lions.
His intensive preparation was evident during net sessions in Ranchi, where he showcased his bowling skills and also demonstrated his batting abilities. With the upcoming conditions in Ranchi expected to favor seam bowling, Akash Deep’s inclusion appears to be a strategic move by the Indian team to strengthen their bowling attack.
With Jasprit Bumrah, the leading wicket-taker in the current series, absent, there’s a significant gap to be filled. Nevertheless, Akash Deep’s debut could be viewed as a suitable answer to this predicament. His speed and proficiency in bowling in-dippers could be crucial on the Ranchi pitch, particularly with the potential for seam movement before the cracks come into play. Notably, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel have already debuted in this series.
England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first against India in the fourth Test at Ranchi. Rohit Sharma confirmed that Akash Deep would make his Test debut for India, stepping in for Jasprit Bumrah.
“We would have also chosen to bat first. The pitch appears a bit dry with some cracks, which is typical here. The last two matches were favorable for us, and we aim to maintain the same momentum. I’m proud of the young players in the squad; they’ve shouldered responsibility and embraced challenges. Their confidence in their abilities bodes well for us moving forward. We have one change, with Akash Deep making his debut,” stated India captain Rohit Sharma after the toss.
With India leading the five-Test series 2-1 against England, Akash Deep’s inclusion becomes a crucial decision to bolster the team’s pace attack alongside Mohammed Siraj. This strategic move underscores the team’s intent to uphold its dominance and clinch the series victory in Ranchi. As Akash Deep prepares to don the Indian Test cap, all attention will be on this promising seamer as he enters the international cricket arena, poised to leave his mark.
