“11 Guys Form A Team, Not One” - Akash Deep on India’s Test Future Without Virat Kohli

Two of India’s biggest modern-day batting icons, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, shocked the cricketing world by announcing their Test retirements just before the five-match series in England. With Shubman Gill appointed as the new captain, not many believed that the young Indian side could challenge Ben Stokes’ England in their own backyard.

Defying the odds, Gill led from the front, amassing a staggering 754 runs in the series. India battled hard to secure a 2-2 draw and earned widespread praise from the cricketing fraternity. In fact, the Men in Blue could have even clinched victory in the two Tests they lost, had a session or two swung in their favour.

Among the standout performers was pacer Akash Deep, who played a decisive role in India’s two wins. The right-arm quick claimed 10 wickets in the second Test at Edgbaston and, in the fifth and final Test at The Oval, chipped in with a valuable 66 runs along with two wickets. 

“See, it’s a team. I feel one day - we may or may not be part of it, someone will be after us. The team’s atmosphere will continue to be the same. 11 guys form a team, not one. And everyone is important. He took the team to newer heights; everybody saw the transformation that happened (during Kohli’s time). Today, it’s Gill - his first series and the huge achievement. So everyone is doing well,” Akash told Aaj Tak.

India will now turn their attention to the upcoming home season, with two Tests against West Indies in October, followed by another two against South Africa in November.