Akash Deep, the promising Indian cricketer, recently opened up about a unique and heartfelt gift he received from cricket legend Virat Kohli ahead of the first Test match against Bangladesh. Deep, who made his mark by taking two wickets in the match, revealed that he will never use the bat gifted to him by Kohli, considering it a treasured memento.
The occasion for this special gesture came after Akash Deep made his Test debut earlier this year against England but missed the chance to share the field with Kohli, who was unavailable due to personal reasons following the birth of his son. However, last week in Chennai, as India prepared to face Bangladesh, Kohli approached Akash with an offer that left the young cricketer thrilled.
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Akash Deep on Virat Kohli’s bat
“Virat bhaiya ne khud se bat diya tha,” Akash shared, translating to “Virat bhaiya himself gave me the bat.” He recounted how Kohli noticed his talent and personally inquired if he would like a bat, stating, “Who wouldn’t want a bat from Virat bhaiya? He is a legend.” The exchange was emotional for Akash, who described feeling overwhelmed with joy and gratitude at the moment.
Notably, Akash emphasized the importance of the bat beyond just a piece of equipment. He remarked, “I will never play with that bat; it is a big gift from Virat bhaiya. I will keep it as a souvenir on the wall of my room.” He also mentioned that he was fortunate enough to receive Kohli’s autograph on the bat, making it even more special.
In the recently concluded first Test, which India won by a commanding 280 runs, Akash contributed modestly with 17 runs in the first innings. His inclusion in the playing XI was notable as he was chosen over experienced players like Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, demonstrating the selectors’ faith in his abilities.
Reflecting on his performance leading up to this Test, Akash had also impressed in the Duleep Trophy, scoring 43 runs off just 42 balls in a match against India B, showcasing his potential as an all-rounder.
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