'Mentor' Jasprit Bumrah happy to help Akash Deep: 'He has a lot of heart'

Star India pacer Jasprit Bumrah praised Akash Deep for his spirit after the Kanpur Test match. Bumrah, the senior-most pacer in the team said that he is happy to mentor Akash Deep who is a great asset to India.

In Short

• Jasprit Bumrah praised Akash Deep after Kanpur Test match
• Akash Deep picked up 3 wickets in the second Test
• Bumrah said that he was happy to mentor Akash Deep

Senior India pacer Jasprit Bumrah said that he was happy to mentor Akash Deep in Test cricket. The Bengal pacer, who has done well in the early phase of his India career, picked up 3 wickets in the Kanpur Test match. Bumrah. Speaking to the broadcaster after India's 7-wicket win on Tuesday, 1 October, Bumrah praised Akash Deep for his heart and said that the Bengal pacer brought his best whenever he was asked to bowl.

Akash Deep made a stunning start to his Test career with a fiery spell against England earlier in 2024. In the Test series against Bangladesh, Akash Deep showed his knack for picking up wickets of left-handers. Bumrah spoke about the pacer's progress and said that it was a great sign for India with the way Akash was developing as a Test bowler.

"Yeah, he comes up to me quite a lot. You know, before a spell, he asks me what is happening. What do you think I should do? So we've had a lot of interesting conversations. With the energy he brings onto the ball, he gives his absolute best on the field and as well as when he's bowling. So he's got a lot of heart. So that's a great sign for us going forward as well. And whenever he comes into bowling he gives his absolute best. So yes, I'm very happy with the way he's progressing and hopefully he goes from strength to strength," Jasprit Bumrah told the broadcaster after the conclusion of the Kanpur Test match.

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The fast bowler also spoke about the long Test season for India. The Rohit Sharma side are set to host New Zealand for a three-match Test series and then will fly out to Australia to play the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which starts in November and end in January 2025 after the New Year's Test.

Bumrah said that the players were prepared for a long season and was looking forward to playing all the matches if his body allowed him to.

"After the World Cup, we got a little bit of break, so we were preparing for the test series and it is important to keep that in mind. And obviously, you understand the number of overs you bowl and where your body is heading and depends on what the schedule looks like. So, yeah, we've got a long Test season ahead. That is why we got the break and, yeah, some time off with family. And then you get back to training and try to put in the work. So hopefully we'll be able to sustain all the matches," Bumrah concluded.