India cricket team pacer Akash Deep is in possession of one of the most prized ‘souvenir’ – Virat Kohli’s bat. After Rinku Singh, the young pacer became the latest recipient of the run machine’s bat, something that he has vowed to never use in his lifetime. Akash is a part of the squad in the ongoing IND vs BAN series and is playing alongside the former Indian skipper.
Akash Deep spills beans on receiving bat from Virat Kohli
Akash Deep received a bat from Virat Kohli ahead of IND vs BAN 1st Test in Chennai. In an interview with Times of India, the pacer revealed that he got the willow from the legend without even asking for it, adding that the latter might have seen something in his batting and hence decided to give him the bat. He revealed that he was given the bat after he had no response to Kohli’s query on what kind of bat he used. Akash further revealed that he even got Kohli’s autograph on the bat.
“He (Virat Kohli) came to me and asked, ‘Bat chaiye kya tujhe?’ Who wouldn’t want a bat from Virat bhaiya? He is a legend. I was very happy to hear his words and wanted that bat. He asked me what kind of bat I use while batting, and I just smiled—I didn’t have words. Then he said, ‘Yeh le, rakh le yeh bat.’ I will never play with that bat; it is a big gift from Virat bhaiya, and I will keep it as a souvenir on the wall of my room,” Akash Deep said.
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Akash Deep made his Test debut earlier this year in IND vs ENG series in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. He earned a call-up for IND vs BAN series after an impressive performance in the opening round match of the Duleep Trophy. He made instant impact in the 1st Test, rattling the Bangladesh top-order in the first Test wicket back-to-back wickets right at the start of their innings.
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