In one of the most emotional moments in the history of cricket, Akash Deep was seen touching his mother’s feet as he made his Test debut during India vs England fourth match, held at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi. Presented with his Test cap by India’s head coach Rahul Dravid just before the toss on Friday, the right-arm pacer stepped into the lineup in place of Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for workload management. With this, Akash Deep became India’s 313th Test cricketer.
Following the cap presentation by the esteemed Rahul Dravid, Akash Deep received a warm embrace from captain Rohit Sharma, with other Indian players congratulating him. Similar to Sarfaraz Khan in the preceding Test, Akash Deep headed directly to his family post-ceremony. In a heartfelt moment, Akash Deep sought his mother’s blessings by touching her feet before embracing her, while the rest of his family expressed gratitude to the divine. Subsequently, Akash Deep posed for photographs alongside his family, capturing the occasion.
Akash Deep’s Cricketing Journey
Akash Deep hails from Dehri village in Sasaram, Bihar. According to an IE report, the Bengal pacer has endured significant personal losses over the years. In 2015, he tragically lost his father followed by his elder brother just six months later. Both incidents were exacerbated by the inability to reach medical assistance in time.
Years later, amidst the turmoil of the second wave of the Covid pandemic, while within the confines of the Indian Premier League bubble, he suffered the loss of his aunt and sister-in-law, nearly losing his mother as well.
With a first-class average of 23.58, Akash Deep has bagged 103 wickets in 30 matches. He has also represented the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. Ahead of the Test, Akash Deep showcased his dedication by bowling rigorously alongside Mukesh Kumar at the nets and engaging in an extensive batting session.
Akash has now become the fourth Indian cricketer to earn his Test cap in this series, following Rajat Patidar’s debut in the Vizag Test, and Sarfaraz Khan and keeper Dhurv Jurel in the preceding Test in Rajkot. He showcased a remarkable performance in the three-match India A vs England Lions series, claiming 12 wickets across the three unofficial tests, including two four-wicket hauls.