IPL 2026: ‘Hard work gives me satisfaction’ Akash Singh

LSG pacer Akash Singh celebrates the wicket of CSK’s Sanju Samson in Lucknow on Friday. PIC/IPL

Left-arm pacer Akash Singh said hard work and self-belief are the driving forces behind his performances after producing a match-winning spell in Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) emphatic seven-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2026 at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Akash ripped through CSK's top order with figures of 3-26, dismissing skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, and Urvil Patel to leave the visitors struggling early on a fiery red-soil pitch.

After the magical performance, the youngster said that he constantly motivates himself mentally during pressure situations and believes preparation is the key to succeeding at the highest level. "If I am under pressure or something like that, I keep telling myself things that give me motivation to perform well at this level. If you work hard, you get satisfaction. Whether you play or not, you are ready for the match," Akash said in a video released by IPL on X.

"And if you work hard, you know that when my chance comes, I have to seize it. I get satisfaction from hard work. For me, the most important thing is hard work because it's in my hands. If I don't do that, I can't expect myself to go to the match and perform. That will never happen," he added.

Akash further stressed the importance of understanding strengths and weaknesses in the T20 format. "The understanding is that in a T20 game, you have to understand what your strength is, but at the same time, what your opponent's weaknesses are. This chit-chat is giving me confidence. For me, this is the mantra," he added.

LSG made a mockery of the 188-run chase thanks to a brutal assault from Mitchell Marsh (90 off 38 balls).

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