Tales of perseverance and passion often shape the narratives of emerging talents in cricket. The journey of Aakash Deep, born in Bihar and graduated out of Ranji Trophy for Bengal, epitomizes this very spirit, as he defied all odds to chase his dream of playing for Team India with unwavering determination.
Now we take a brief look at Aakash Deep‘s upbringing and his meteoric rise from an aspiring young cricketer to India’s Test player number 313.
Aakash Deep- A journey to dream debut for India’s test team
Aakash Deep was born in Sasaram in Bihar on December 15, 1996. While he was inspired to take up cricket as profession after Team India’s triumphant moment at the 2007 T20 World Cup, a young Akash was discouraged by his father Ramji Singh.
Ramji, who himself was a government schoolteacher, wanted his son to focus on academics and land a government job instead. On the pretext of finding a job, Aakash Deep left his hometown to join a local academy with the support of his uncle. He started gaining much recognition for his pace at the academy, however, tragedy soon befell his life when his father passed away due to a stroke.
A few months later, Aakash’s elder brother also passed away, leaving him to take care of his mother and two sisters at home. Becoming the sole breadwinner of the house halted his cricketing ambitions for three years. While Deep was reconstructing his life and providing for his family, he realized his dream of representing India was too big to abandon at this stage.
At a time when Bihar Cricket Association was facing a suspension, the prodigious bowling talent shifted to Bengal where he rented a small room with his cousin. Akash soon found a spot in Bengal’s Under-23 team, before eventually landing a Ranji Trophy debut for the state in December 2019, i.e., a few months after he made his List A and T20 debuts for them.
Aakash Deep gets debut cap for India.
The fourth match of the ongoing red-ball series between India and England began on Friday, February 23, at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. Ahead of the Test, the BCCI had announced that ace pacer and vice captain Jasprit Bumrah would be rested for the game, citing workload management reasons. As a result, young pacer Akash Deep received his maiden call-up and made his debut for the Rohit Sharma-led side.
Aakash Deep was presented his India cap before the toss by head coach Rahul Dravid, and that is when the seamer realized his dreams turned to reality. His mother was also present on the field during the moment, and both engaged in a heart-warming moment after he wore the cap. Deep was seen touching his mother’s feet and took her blessings. They both hugged each other and shared an emotional moment.
Aakash Deep nearly strikes early on debut
Winning the toss, England’s skipper Ben Stokes invited India to bowl first. Mohammed Siraj, who is leading India’s pace attack, opened the bowling, while Aakash Deep took charge from the other end.
In just the second over he bowled, the seam movement and early morning conditions helped the pacer, as he rattled the timber of Zak Crawley, as the ball went past the bat-pad gap. Deep’s excitement for his maiden wicket didn’t last long, as the siren which went off shortly suggested that the bowler had overstepped, and thus, the ball was adjudged as a no ball.
In the first 5 overs, the English batters started off quite sedately, as the ball assisted the pace duo well. However, once the ball gets older, the batters will be hoping to unleash their ‘Bazball’ style of play. Thus, it will be interesting to see if Crawley and Ben Duckett are able to see off the first session on Day 1, or whether the Indians will ensure being on top by striking with a wicket or two.
Aakash Deep’s dream debut reduces England to 112 for 5 at Lunch on Day 1.
Akash Deep made an instant impact with the ball after Ben Stokes chose to bat on a pitch that already has cracks at both ends and is expected to help the spinners. Akash sent opener Zak Crawley’s off-stump cartwheeling in his second over but his celebration for his first Test wicket was cut short when the no-ball siren sounded. The Indian pacer quickly overcame his disappointment, striking twice in three balls. Akash dismissed Ben Duckett caught behind for 11 with an angled delivery that elicited a tentative prod from the opener.
Akash was overjoyed as he waited for confirmation that he had not overstepped and beat his chest in celebration. Two balls later, Ollie Pope stepped out but was rapped on his pad. The England vice-captain was initially ruled not out, but India reviewed the decision and dismissed him lbw. Crawley did not look comfortable against Akash’s lively pace, but he had no qualms about going after Mohammed Siraj, hitting him for three fours in a row and then a huge six. Enter Akash, who finished Crawley’s run-a-ball 42 by hitting the top of his off-stump
This immaculate bowling by the debutant Aakash Deep in his first innings of international red ball cricket made it a memorable one and later dedicated it to his late father post end of Day 1.
Young and fiery rookie Aakash Deep dedicates his dream 3-fer on debut to his late father
Rookie Indian seamer Akash Deep dedicated his performance on Day 1 of the fourth Test against England to his late father. The Bihar-born cricketer regretted not doing anything notable when his father was alive. Aakash Deep got his maiden Test cap in Ranchi, with Jasprit Bumrah rested for the game. The 27-year-old had a mixed start but roared in the first session with three top-order wickets. He was denied Zak Crawley’s wicket due to overstepping.
At a presser on Friday, Deep said:
“I dedicate this to my father. It was my father’s dream that his son does something good with his life. When he was alive, I couldn’t do anything. So I dedicate this performance to my father.”
The right-arm seamer recalled his father and brother almost instantly and how hardly anything else mattered.
“It was a very emotional moment for me. I lost my father and my brother in the same year. After that I felt, I need to do something with my life. Then I left my home to play cricket. Bengal supported me well.
“I got a good atmosphere. I played Ranji Trophy with them. My journey in cricket, my family has a played a big role in it. Because when you lose two big people in your house, you have nothing left to lose.”
“I have been playing cricket for some time now” – exclaims Akash Deep
When asked whether there was any nervousness on his debut, the 27-year-old said that the advice from Bumrah helped massively:
“No, there was no nervousness because a lot of things had already been discussed, with our coaches. And I have been playing cricket for some time now, so it did not feel anything new.
“I was just trying to follow my process. In domestic cricket, our length is a couple of feet fuller. Here, our coaches, captain and Bumrah bhai told me that at international level, the length is a touch shorter because batsmen look to chase the ball here.”
Deep had Duckett caught behind by Dhruv Jurel off the second ball of his fifth over. He dismissed Pope leg-before-wicket two deliveries later, with the on-field umpire’s initial not-out decision being reversed on review.
The debutant earlier castled Crawley in his second over but was denied his maiden wicket as he had overstepped. However, he eventually bowled the opener in his sixth over to complete his three-wicket haul. This dream debut atleast in the first innings gave a bright signs that India’s fast bowling future is immaculate and in safe hands.