Team India pacer discusses potential partnership with Bumrah and Siraj ahead of upcoming series against Bangladesh

Akash Deep is a strong contender to join Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as India's third seamer for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Despite limited game time, Akash has shown promise since his India debut in February during a Test match against England. He featured in just one game for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL and also played in the first round of the Duleep Trophy. His impressive performances in these matches have put him in the race for a spot in the playing XI for the upcoming series.

He did take part in the Bengal Pro T20 League in June, but the records for the league weren't registered in the player's career stats.

“If you get satisfied as a cricketer, you will never learn anything. As long as I have the hunger for learning, I can never be satisfied,” Akash told reporters after the match on Sunday.

“Wickets and results are two different things; sometimes you will get the result, sometimes not. But, the most important thing is the process…like while bowling, which are the areas that can still be improved upon,” he added.

Addressing his chances for selection in the Test squad, the 27-year-old pacer remained humble, stating that he likes to live in the present.

“Every contest that I play, I consider it as my last. I don't think too far enough. All I have is the present with me," said the Bengal fast bowler.

Akash also remembered how senior India teammate and fellow Bengal pacer Mohammed Shami helped him with the nuances of his craft.

“I do take input from him (Shami) as our actions are pretty much similar. I asked him 'how to move the ball out by bowling from around the wicket to a left-hander', to which he asked me not to try for it as it would happen naturally.

“It did happen to me naturally, which then became a wicket-taking delivery. It also creates confusion in the batters’ mind, as he is used to playing the ball generally outside,” he explained.