Talked with Mohammed Shami about how to get the ball to come back in: Akash Deep

Every spectator had butterflies in their stomachs after star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami’s historic one-on-one match against England all-rounder Ben Stokes during the ODI World Cup 2023. In the end, Shami removed Stokes by deviating the balls and spraying the ball in the same location. Akash went on to say that he was assisted in his cause by a lengthy conversation he had with Shami over bringing the ball in at an angle to a left-hander.

The India team for the first Test match against Bangladesh, which takes place in Chennai on September 19, includes Akash Deep. When playing for India A versus India B in the Duleep Trophy 2024, the pacer impressed. In the match, Akash’s nine wicket haul was sufficient to secure his place, and he disclosed how he dealt with Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy, two bowling experts.

“The balls that I bowled to Washington Sundar in the second innings and Nitish Reddy in the first.” I had been bowling a lot of around-the-wicket deliveries to Washington in the nets. He has been batting against me frequently and has grown accustomed to it. Thus, I intended to take action against him that I hadn’t taken previously,” Akash is reported to have remarked.

“The ball naturally travels towards the shine when you bowl to a left-hander from around the wicket. I explained to him [Shami] how to use the angle to get the ball to come back in. I’ve witnessed him do that,” he continued.

Mohammed Shami has advised me not to try it too often: Akash Deep

The youthful player received the same guidance over bringing the ball in, as the 27-year-old mentioned that his senior colleagues were growing accustomed to his bowling. Shami’s ability to vary up the lengths of the ball with repeated shine has been his bowling strength. Akash, 34, seemed to have benefited from his time at NCA because he was advised to bowl the angling with a tiny mix-up rather than only concentrating on bowling it in ball.

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He cautioned me against concentrating too hard on bringing it in. He claimed that it will eventually happen on its own and turn into a ball that can take wickets. It is difficult for batters if the ball keeps going out and you are able to bring it back in with the shine. However, he has advised me not to attempt it too frequently. Nevertheless, if you can do it as a bowler, batters will also tend to chase balls away, Akash said.