In a performance that truly marked his arrival on the international stage, India's Akash Deep delivered a stellar ten-wicket haul in the second Test against England, leading his team to a resounding 336-run victory and levelling the five-match series 1-1. The emotional 28-year-old speedster dedicated his career-best effort to his sister, who has been battling cancer for the past two months.
"Every time I had the ball in my hand, her thoughts would cross my mind," a visibly emotional Akash Deep revealed in a post-match interview with Cheteshwar Pujara on Jio Hotstar. "I haven't spoken about this with anyone, but two months back, my sister was diagnosed with cancer. She will be very happy with my performance, and this will bring some smiles back. This performance is dedicated to her. I want to tell her, 'Sis, we are all with you.'"
Hailing from Sasaram, Bihar, Akash Deep's journey to the big stage has been anything but easy. The son of a government school teacher, he honed his skills playing tennis ball cricket, earning pocket money before being scouted by Bengal seven years ago. His sharp incutters, which accounted for the likes of Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook, ensured that captain Shubman Gill barely felt the absence of the iconic Jasprit Bumrah.
The Edgbaston track, often considered a "bowler's graveyard," saw Akash Deep thrive. His match haul of 10 wickets for 187 runs included a maiden five-for in Tests, with figures of 6/99 in England's second innings. While Shubman Gill's magnificent batting, with scores of 269 and 161, set the stage for India's victory, Akash Deep's lion-hearted effort was equally crucial.
He spoke about his well-executed plans, stating, "My main aim was to hit the seam on hard lengths and let the ball move in. In the case of Joe Root, my aim was to bowl from wide off the crease and get it to shape away. In case of Harry Brook, I knew that he is committed on backfoot and wanted to hit the seam hard and on fuller length, getting it to move in."
This dominant victory not only levelled the series but also broke India's 58-year-old "Edgbaston Jinx." The rain-delayed final day saw England resume at 72 for three, chasing an improbable 608. Akash Deep, alongside Mohammed Siraj, capitalised on the new ball, striking early to dismantle the English batting line-up. Siraj had led the attack in the first innings with seven wickets, and Akash Deep built on that momentum, proving to be the standout bowler on Day 5.
With the next Test beginning on July 10 at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, Akash Deep is focused on savouring his current success. "I haven't thought about my game plan for Lord's. But it won't be very different from what it has been here. There would be days when it would work, and there would be days it won't work. Our job is to stick to our strengths and believe in our processes," he stated.
His performance at Edgbaston has all but sealed his place for the Lord's Test, where he will likely be looking forward to running in down the hill from the Pavilion End. With Bumrah expected to return, and Akash Deep's ability to attack the stumps from a good length, India appears to have most of their bases covered as they look to build on this crucial series-levelling win.
