LUCKNOW: Pacer Akash Deep has declared himself “100% fit and ready to play” after having recovered from the back injury that plagued him in Australia and kept him away from the game for the last three months.
Akash Deep joined LSG on Thursday night and was seen in franchise colours for the first time at the pre-game media interaction.
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“I’m feeling quite ready and am eager to play. I’m 100% fit and well-prepared to go as I’ve played one practice match. In cricket, when you get a gap of two-three months, no matter how much you practice, you don’t gain confidence until you play a match. I feel the first match (will be) very important for me,” he said.
Asked about the team’s below-par performance so far, Akash Deep said, “In cricket, performance is not in our control. Even though only three matches have been played, there have been many positive aspects for our team. Despite four of our fast bowlers being injured, the way we performed in the first three games is commendable. I think there are many good things with us, and since the tournament is quite long, good things are yet to come.
"We’ve see in IPL matches during the last two years, you can’t predict a safe target. There have been instances when teams have failed to defend 240 or 260. If our fast-bowling unit is together, we have a balanced side.”
On switching from RCB to LSG, the pacer said, “The jersey may change but the person will remain the same. I’m feeling very good with this franchise. I haven’t spent much time with the team yet, but the time I did spend, which was about 2-3 days during the preparatory camp, it felt great and gave me a lot of confidence. Because I was at the NCA in rehab, I joined the team (only) last night, and today is the first practice session. I haven’t had much interaction with the coaches yet.”
On Zaheer Khan’s mentorship of the franchise, he said, “I’m lucky to have the opportunity to play under such a great coach, even if it’s just for 2-3 months. His international experience is excellent, and he will identify and improve my skills and fine-tune my weaknesses and variations.”
Asked how injured LSG speed sensation Mayank Yadav’s rehab was coming along, he said, “I believe it’ll be good if he can join the team soon.”
