Jacks tossed the first ball up slightly, and Akshat latched onto it, sending it over long-on for a six. He would face only six more deliveries, scoring 11 before being caught and bowled.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is my instinct,\u201d Akshat later told broadcasters. \u201cIf I get a ball in my hitting zone\u2014whether it\u2019s the first ball or any other\u2014I will try to capitalise on it,\u201d the 22-year-old added.<\/p>\n
It is an approach he has consciously developed over the last four to five years, understanding the demands of modern-day T20 cricket, Krishna Pal Raghuwanshi, Akshat\u2019s father, told Sportstar<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Although Krishna Pal believes Akshat\u2019s naturally aggressive approach was not always fully appreciated within the system, the batter has remained committed to playing proactive cricket. \u201cAkshat had a bit of a rebel attitude and was determined to play a certain style of cricket,\u201d his father said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That attacking mindset has been built on the back of a strong technical foundation developed under Amay Khurasiya at the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) Academy in Indore. Khurasiya, the then chief coach of the residential academy, describes Akshat as a \u201cphenomenal talent and a brave player.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAkshat was 11 years old when he came under my coaching at the MPCA Academy Programme,\u201d Khurasiya told this publication.<\/p>\n
READ: IPL 2026: RCB coach Andy Flower fined for breach of Code of Conduct during match against MI<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n He was one of the youngest players selected for the academy programme. Krishna Pal recalled the story: \u201cI first took Akshat for the academy trials when he was 10. He impressed Amay sir, but was considered too young at the time. The following year, I took him again, even though he was still technically underage. Amay sir recognised him. Akshat handled the Under-16 and U-19 bowlers well in the nets and was eventually selected.\u201d<\/p>\n The move itself came with sacrifices. Krishna Pal wound up parts of his civil contracting business in MP\u2019s Ashok Nagar and shifted to Indore to support Akshat\u2019s cricketing ambitions. He returned only after settling his son at the academy.\u00a0<\/p>\n Like everyone else in the academy, Akshat too had a personalised programme focussed on building his technique, strength, shot positions, and balance, among other things. Soon, the talent became evident quickly as Akshat progressed rapidly through the age-group ranks\u2014under-14 and under-16\u2014and later captained the Madhya Pradesh U-19 side during the 2021-22 Vinoo Mankad Trophy, where he scored 176 runs in five innings.<\/p>\n One of the most famous stories from his age-group days involves his first meeting with coach Chandrakant Pandit. During a practice game in Gwalior, a 17-year-old Akshat was struck on the pads off the first ball, but Pandit, officiating as umpire, intentionally turned down the appeal. Akshat went on to score 165. Of course, that immediately caught Pandit\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n A couple of years later, Akshat made his First-Class debut in the 2021-22 season with Pandit as the head coach. He marked the occasion with a century against Meghalaya. He followed it up with half-centuries against Punjab and Bengal in the quarterfinal and semifinal, respectively.<\/p>\n However, after a relatively quiet couple of First-Class seasons, Akshat was dropped from the senior side and sent back to the U-23 setup.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is very surprising for me that he has not been playing in the senior team regularly for the last couple of years,\u201d Khurasiya said. \u201cIf he gets proper opportunities in MP cricket, his confidence will grow even more,\u201d the former MPCA coach added.<\/p>\n After nearly a year away, Akshat once again pushed his case for a senior comeback with a stellar run in the Madhya Pradesh T20 League, where he scored 239 runs in just four innings, including a century. He returned to the List-A side and scored 169 runs in five matches at an average of 42.75.<\/p>\n