RCB pacer reveals motivating words from Virat Kohli

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) seamer Akash Deep revealed a word of healthy advice and motivation from the team’s former skipper and India great Virat Kohli ahead of the IPL debut in the recently concluded season. 

The Bengal right-arm pacer, who walked into the RCB squad ahead of the second half of IPL 2021 following an injury to Washington Sundar, finally got the chance to play in the final XI this year. 

The 25-year-old quick played five matches for the mighty popular franchise, taking five wickets to his name. But more than the wickets on the field, the lasting memory of his proper stint in the IPL for Akash remains finding motivating words from the biggest name in world cricket. 

Virat Kohli gave the youngster his debut IPL cap and spoke in detail about his journey, something that left Akash shocked. How did such a giant of the game know about a lesser-known face from Bengal was an overwhelming question in his mind? 

“Enjoy yourself, stick to the process” – Virat Kohli’s word of motivation to Akash Deep 

As he offered Akash his IPL cap, Virat Kohli spoke glowingly for the young quick in the RCB team hurdle and encouraged him to approach the biggest T20 league without feeling burdened by the pressure. For Akash, however, just the feeling of knowing that Kohli knew about him was heartwarming. 

“I was shocked that he knows where I am from, my journey, struggle and everything. While giving me the cap, he said, ‘You deserve to be here. Just keep doing what you have done in the past. Just enjoy yourself, stick to your process.’ It was a very emotional moment,” Akash told the Indian Express. 

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Another amusing tale involving Kohli that the seamer shared dates back to September last year when he had been called into the RCB camp as an injury replacement. Coming from Bengal, Akash received an advice from the state’s batting great and India cricketer Manoj Tiwary, who asked him to try and impress Kohli in the nets. 

“Manoj bhaiyya said, ‘Virat is India’s captain, and if you manage to impress him, you will get to play in the IPL next season, and might play for India as well because you have all the ingredients to become a good fast bowler.’”

“That was my goal, and I managed to do well in the practice matches and was later picked in the auction,” the youngster recalled.