IND vs ENG 4th Test: Irfan Pathan praises debutant Akash Deep

Irfan Pathan, Akash Deep (Pic: File Pic)

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan heap praises on speedster Akash Deep for making an impact on test debut. The right-arm pacer struck three wickets on the opening day of the IND vs ENG 4th Test in Ranchi.

Pathan stated that it is very difficult for a fast bowler to make a debut in India, but the way Akash bowled and picked wickets, he showed promise of a bright future ahead of him. Akash registered three wickets for 83 runs in the first innings of the IND vs ENG 4th Test.

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"As a batter you want your debut to happen in India but as a fast bowler you dream to have your debut in England, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand,¿ Pathan told PTI on the sidelines of the New Delhi Marathon on Sunday.

The way he bowled in the first session of the match and picked up three wickets is commendable. We can only hope to see Akash's career graph to go up from here, he added.

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Pathan also praised opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal for becoming the fifth Indian batsman to score 600 or more runs in a test series. Jaiswal scored 73 runs in India's first innings of the IND vs ENG 4th Test.

"Yashasvi Jaiswal is a very special cricketer, he has very bright future and he will make it big", the former cricketer said.

Pathan, who was at the marathon as chief guest, said India had the potential of becoming a sporting nation. "To participate in such events is really special. I have always believed that India can become a sporting nation. Twenty thousand people participated here today and everyone was smiling. The people want to be fit and want to participate in such activities, it is always good to see this," he expressed.

(With PTI Inputs)