Told him he won't hit everytime, I'll hit too,says Akashdeep on Duckett send-off row

Time of India

9 hours ago

Lucknow: Opening up on the controversy involving
Ben Duckett
during the Oval Test match between India and England recently, Indian pacer Akashdeep said that he told Duckett that he won't be the only one to hit and he would hit too.
During the Test match at The Oval, Akashdeep gave a send-off to England by putting his hand around his shoulder and uttering a few words to him after dismissing him.
"On a cricket field, you need to keep a cool head and a warm body. I told Duckett, 'You won't be the only one hitting; I'll hit too. Sometimes you miss, and I hit'."
He said that Duckett told him that he would not be able to dismiss him and whatever he said to Duckett was in response.
After the series, Akashdeep has been spending quality time with his family and also paid a visit to Lucknow to meet his sisters on Rakshabandhan.
Despite being busy with celebrations, Akashdeep took time out to talk to TOI on his experiences and exploits during the long England tour.
"It was quite a good experience. Every pace bowler wants to play in England. Although the wickets were not as we had expected, we still put our heart and soul into every match to end the hard-fought series on even terms.
The series was a great learning opportunity for me," he said.
"Taking ten wickets individually in a match (at Edgbaston which India won) is quite significant but scoring a half-century for the team was more important to me. While I was working on my half-century, the only thing on my mind was not to get out and to keep playing," he said.
On the final day of the last Test at the Oval, he said, "I woke up early due to excitement, knowing we needed four wickets, and they (England) wanted just 35 runs, and that only we three pacers had to do it.
Only three players were in the game, but we believed in ourselves, and the England batters apparently panicked. We didn't know the ball would start swinging in the morning, but once it did, we realized the wickets would fall quickly, and that's what happened.
"
Talking about the atmosphere at the Oval on the final day, he said, "There was tremendous support inside the ground; the way people came to watch and cheered for the four wickets was thrilling.
Everyone knew the match would end in half an hour, but the stadium was packed, and the crowds were amazing."
Speaking about the pressure of a catch, Akashdeep said that even after taking the catch, he went to the boundary, which was quite far. "I could have saved the six, but when I fell, I realized I was outside the boundary. Even if I had caught it, I would have gone out of bounds. It was an important catch, and I could have prevented a six.
I knew that the way England players were playing, they could get out at any time," he said.
Talking about Mohd Siraj, he said, "As a fast bowler, he is quite fit, and the way he puts in effort behind the ball sets him apart. Playing five consecutive matches is commendable. From this, one learns that being mentally fit is more important than being physically fit."
Akashdeep pulled off a remarkable knock during the third day, scoring a gritty 66 as night watchman to frustrate England bowlers and help India regain control of the match.
Asked how important it is for a fast bowler to maintain workload, he said: "Experienced players who have bowled a lot need to understand their bodies. As fast bowlers, we must maintain the training schedule and hard work in the process."
On fitness and recovery after long spells of bowling, Akashdeep said, "It is a bit challenging, especially when there is only a three-day break (between Test matches), but then one must stay mentally strong.
Our mind controls the body, and when the mind knows that we have to play again after three days, the body gets ready."
"We must treat our body like a temple, whether it's diet or training, and manage what is within our control. Injuries aren't in our hands, but staying fit and training are," he added.
On how he sees his chances of playing white ball cricket, especially with the Asia Cup and World Cup in future, he said, "Improving myself and performing is in my hands, selection is not.
Creating the best version of myself is within my control."
Asked about dedicating his 10-wicket match haul in the second Test at Birmingham to his elder sister who is suffering from cancer, he said, "My message was not just for my sister; it was for the entire country and the world, emphasizing the importance of standing by loved ones during difficult times."
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