IPL 2025: Akash Deep declares himself fit ahead of LSG's next match against MI

Akash Deep sustained an injury during the BGT 2024-25 in Australia.

Indian pacer Akash Deep has declared himself completely fit to play for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in his team’s forthcoming game against Mumbai Indians (MI). The 16th match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will be played on Friday, April 14, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Notably, Deep sustained an injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 in Australia. He faced a lower back injury during the five-match test series that kept him out of action since December last year. He was undergoing rehabilitation for the last few months.

I am really enjoying my time with LSG: Akash Deep

Ahead of the LSG vs MI encounter, Akash Deep has said that he feels quite confident despite being out of the field for a long time. He also noted his first game in IPL 2025 is a crucial one and he is enjoying his time with the new franchise.

“I feel the first match is very important for me. I have played one practice match, but in cricket, when you get a two-to-three-month gap, no matter how much you practice, till you don’t play a match, the confidence does not build,” the 28-year-old pacer said.

“The jersey changes but the player remains the same and I am really enjoying my time with this franchise. I have not been with the team for long because of injury, but I feel quite confident,” the right-arm medium pacer further added.

Deep also feels that a player should believe and focus on the process and stay confident in a tournament like the IPL.

“As an individual, you should believe in your process and focus on that process. The easier you keep your game, the easier it gets to perform. For this type of tournament, staying confident becomes very important for a player,” said Deep, who was picked by LSG for INR eight crore in IPL 2025 mega auction.

LSG have won one match out of three in IPL 2025

Meanwhile, LSG have been hit by a series of injuries in the pace department. For instance, Mayank Yadav is recovering from a toe injury. Another pacer Mohsin Khan has been ruled out of the entire IPL 2025 due to an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. Hence, Deep’s arrival comes as a big boost to the Rishabh Pant-led side.

LSG have played three games in IPL 2025 so far, winning one match and losing two. The Rishabh Pant & Co. lost their opening game against Delhi Capitals by one wicket, but won their next clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets. In their previous encounter against PBKS, LSG lost by a huge margin of eight wickets.

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