Left-arm seamer from Rajasthan has so far opened bowling for CSK in four games this IPL season
JAIPUR: MS Dhoni has a unique way of handling youngsters in the side. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) boss knows the art of guiding newcomers and also eliciting performances from them. This has benefitted the franchise and the youngsters alike. Left-arm seamer Akash Singh is one of the new kids on the block who is looking to find his wings playing under the former India skipper.
As destiny would have it, after going unsold in the auction, Akash, who celebrates his 21st birthday today, got a call from the CSK management to replace injured pacer Mukesh Choudhary. "He was unsold in 2022 as well, but he never let that affect him and ensured he worked hard and got as many matches as possible to play at the domestic level," shared Akash's elder brother Lakhan Singh.
So far, the young seamer has played the last four matches and has opened the bowling for CSK, scalping five wickets in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
The youngster, who comes from a hamlet Nagla Ram Ratan in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan, played an important role in India Under-19 team which finished runners-up in the 2020 ODI World Cup. In the same year he was picked by Rajasthan Royals but did not get any game, while he played one in the subsequent year. Things got frustrating for Akash at the state-level as well, as he found it tough to break into the playing XI. Looking for solutions, the fast bowler decided to move to Nagaland.
"In 2022, we decided to work harder and look for opportunities. He was not getting chances in the state team as they already have a very good fast bowling unit with a lot of experienced players doing well. So that made us go for trials conducted by the Nagaland Cricket Association. He did well and was offered to join the team as a guest player. He became a regular in the playing XI in Nagaland," the elder brother added.
After he took a fifer twice during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022-23, he got calls from eight IPL franchises and was told by three teams - Royals, Gujarat Titans and CSK - that if situation allows, they will include him in their set-up.
Lakhan, 25, lives in an apartment with Akash in Jaipur near Aravali Cricket Academy where the latter has been training since 2016. There he was groomed by Rajasthan former spinner Vivek Yadav, but after his demise in 2021, the youngster is now coached by ex-Rajasthan seamer Jagsimran Singh at the academy.
The elder brother is not only playing the role of a facilitator and guide, but also carries out parental responsibilities to ensure Akash feels secure and can commit himself fully to playing cricket.
"I have played cricket till district-level. When Akash started out, automatically he became the focus of my attention. I am always there to look after his every need, cricket or non-cricket. I also join him during his training hours, and we discuss at length what more can be done for improvement. At the same time, I cook his food and ensure he takes all the meals on time." Lakhan said.
Seriousness towards the sport gained momentum after his father, Maharaj Singh, who is a farmer, felt he was good at playing cricket and sent him to Shardul Sports School in Bikaner district when he was in class 5. Seeing his talent, the coaches at the school suggested the parents to shift Akash to a proper cricket academy in Jaipur.
It was in November 2017 during the Bhanwar Singh T20 Cup, played among different academies, that the then 15-year-old Akash took everyone by surprise by bowling four maiden overs to grab 10 wickets.
Cut to the present, Akash is 'living his dream of playing for CSK under Dhoni'.
