Rewrite the sentence in the direct speech.
Akshai said that he was playing the drums.

Correct option is C

The correct option is (c) Akshai said, "I am playing the drums".
Tense change: "Was playing" in indirect speech becomes "am playing" (present continuous) in direct speech.
Pronoun change: "He" becomes "I" in direct speech to reflect Akshai's first-person voice.
Time clause change: No specific time clause change is required.
Reporting verb change: "Said" remains unchanged.
Corrected sentence: Akshai said, "I am playing the drums".