The 4th Test between India and England turned out to be life-changing for pacer Akash Deep who made his much-awaited debut in Ranchi. With his mother present to watch him don the India jersey for the first time, Akash Deep was handed the debut Test cap by none other than the head coach Rahul Dravid. It was his stint for India A that earned Akash Deep a call-up to the senior national team. But, everything hasn’t been as easy for the pacer who had to leave cricket a few years ago to make ends meet.
Hailing from Sasaram in Bihar, Akash Deep was extremely passionate about playing cricket for a long time but was discouraged by his father. Despite not getting the required support from his father, Akash left for Durgapur with the pretext of finding a job and was eventually supported by one of his uncles.
He joined a local academy where he started to impress many because of his pace. But, before Akash could convert his talent into something substantial, his father had a stroke and passed away. Two months after his father’s death, Akash’s older brother also died.
Say hello to #TeamIndia newest Test debutant – Akash Deep
A moment to cherish for him as he receives his Test cap from Head Coach Rahul Dravid
Follow the match https://t.co/FUbQ3Mhpq9 #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/P8A0L5RpPM
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 23, 2024
The situation created a big crisis in Akash’s family, with there being no money in the house. To take care of his mother, Akash had to stop playing cricket for three years and earn money to make ends meet in his house. Akash tried to change the course of his life but his love for cricket couldn’t keep him away from the game for long.
He returned to Durgapur, and then eventually moved to Kolkata, where he first started to live in a small rented room with his cousin.
Akash then joined the Bengal Under-23 team and made his debut in 2019. Then came Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore, who signed him ahead of the IPL 2022 season.
On February 23, 2024, Akash Deep became the 313th player to play for India in Test cricket.
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