Photo via CricketAddictor

Akash Deep credits Gautam Gambhir for standing by him during tough times

Akash Deep is set to return to international cricket after an eight-month absence due to a lower back injury, which sidelined him from India’s England tour in 2025 and the entire IPL 2026 season. His comeback comes as a timely boost for India’s Test squad, particularly ahead of their two-match series in New Zealand, where the team is pushing for a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final.

Deep, a 29-year-old fast bowler with 10 Test caps and 28 wickets at an average of 35.78, has already made his mark with a standout performance in England, where he claimed 10 wickets in a single match at Edgbaston, including six wickets in the second innings as India secured a 336-run victory to level the series. His return strengthens India’s pace attack, a critical area as the team aims to secure six of their next seven Tests to qualify for the WTC final by 2027.

Up nextCricket· 3h ago

'When you bat up to 8, you weaken your bowling' - Sunil Gavaskar flags India's T20I squad structure flaw under Gautam Gambhir