‘If you impress Virat Kohli, you will play for India…’: RCB player’s big statement

New Delhi: Bengal pacer Akash Deep made his debut for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 15th edition of the IPL. Akash has now revealed the conversation he had with veteran India cricketer and Bengal teammate Manoj Tiwary. Akash said that Manoj Tiwary told him that if he can impress Virat Kohli, then he can get a chance to enter Team India.

The right-arm seamer was first picked by RCB as a replacement for the injured Washington Sundar in IPL 2021. He didn’t get a chance to play a single match last year, but as Tiwary said, he impressed Kohli and was later bought by RCB for a base price of ₹20 lakh.

Debut cap from Virat Kohli

Akash Deep said, “Manoj Tiwary bhaiyya said that Virat is the captain of India and if you can impress him, then next season will get a chance to play in IPL. You can play for India also because you have a good Have all the skills to be a fast bowler.”

Akash Deep told The Indian Express, that was my goal and I managed to do well in the practice matches. Later selected at auction. Akash Deep, who led Bengal’s bowling attack against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy semi-final, made his IPL debut against Punjab Kings. This cap was given to him by none other than Kohli himself. Akash Deep said that it is like a dream come true.

Dreamt as a child

He said, “When I used to watch Kohli and Dhoni on TV, I wondered if I would get a chance to meet them sometime in my life. Wherever I come from, I never imagined that someday I would share the dressing room with Kohli. I was surprised that he knew where I was from. My journey, struggle and everything, giving me the cap he said you deserve. Just keep doing what you have done in the past. It was a very emotional moment.”

Learnt from Josh Hazlewood

The 25-year-old cricketer took 5 wickets in 5 matches in this year’s IPL. He shared the dressing room with veteran Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. He was constantly following Josh. 

Akash said, “The entire IPL 2022 was a learning experience for me. When we were out of the bubble, I followed Josh everywhere. I spent most of my time with him. I used to watch his bowling on YouTube and now I was bowling with him.”