From the dusty fields of Sasaram in Bihar to the hallowed turf of Edgbaston, England, Akash Deep’s journey is a stirring tale of resilience, heartbreak and triumph.
On July 6, the 28-year-old fast bowler etched his name into history by claiming 10 wickets in India’s second Test win over England. More significantly, the 336-run win was India’s first ever Test victory at Edgbaston since 1967 and their biggest away win.
But Akash Deep’s rise has been anything but easy.
Born in 1996, in a state where cricket opportunities were virtually nonexistent, Akash’s passion for the sport was often seen as an indulgence. Facing criticism and ridicule, he was frequently advised to abandon cricket and pursue a government job.
His father, like many others in the town, wished for him to become a police constable or clerk. Out of respect, Akash appeared for several exams, only to return the answer sheets blank. Cricket, for him, was non-negotiable.
His breakthrough came when he left Bihar for Durgapur, West Bengal, and began playing club cricket. However, life took a cruel turn in 2015 when he lost both his father and elder brother within six months.
With the burden of supporting his family now on his shoulders, Akash stepped away from cricket to focus on his two sisters.
But the dream never died.
Training under the mentorship of Indian pace bowler Mohammed Shami, he worked on his fitness and refined his bowling. In 2019, his efforts bore fruit when he broke into Bengal’s Under-23 team and soon made his first-class debut.
His standout performances in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy season, where he picked up 35 wickets and helped Bengal reach the final, cemented his place as a promising talent.
The Indian Premier League came calling in 2022 when Royal Challengers Bengaluru signed him. Though his outings were limited, he remained a force in domestic cricket, eventually earning his Test debut against England in 2024.
On a cloudy Edgbaston pitch, without the rested Indian spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, Akash seized his opportunity. With sheer pace and unwavering discipline, he ripped through England’s batting, helping India level the series 1-1.
But behind this dominant display lay another emotional battle: Akash’s elder sister, Akhand Jyoti Singh, is fighting stage three cancer.
“I haven’t told anyone till now,” Akash revealed in a post-match interview. “She’s stable now, but she’s been undergoing treatment for two months. I dedicate this match to her. Every time I held the ball, I thought of her.”
Jyoti, emotional yet proud, told Aajtak news channel: “Before the England tour, we met him at the airport. I told him, ‘Don’t worry about me, just do well for the country’. Watching him take those wickets filled us with joy.”
Former Bengal coach Arun Lal recalls Akash’s initial days at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) dormitory. “It was a hellhole. I was shocked when I visited. But he never once complained. He trained relentlessly, even running up jungle-covered hills near his village.”
Akash’s story is now viral, with fans celebrating not just his cricketing exploits, but his courage and perseverance. He has now played eight Tests and picked up 25 wickets, with the Edgbaston Test being a personal and national milestone.
His place in the third Test at Lord’s is all but confirmed, and as India eye a series win, Akash Deep stands as a symbol of hope – proof that dreams, backed by grit, can defy even the harshest odds.
