Akash Deep returns from back injury for Irani Cup
Akash Deep ends a seven-month injury absence when Rest of India face Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup.
Akash Deep will return to competitive cricket in the Irani Cup after seven months out with a lower-back stress fracture. He will represent Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir starting Thursday.
The 29-year-old sustained the injury during Bengal's Ranji Trophy semifinal in February. He said he viewed the lay-off positively because of the support system at the Centre of Excellence.
Akash last played for Bengal against Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji semifinal. The Irani Cup marks his first match since the injury.
CricHubb Take
The timing matters. Akash returns against the same side that was playing when he got injured, giving him a direct benchmark for his recovery and a chance to re-enter selection conversations before the next international window.