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Akash Deep, the Indian fast bowler, played an instrumental role in India’s famous win by 336 runs in the second Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham, to level the five-match series 1-1. After replacing star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested due to workload issue, Akash Deep took a 10-wicket bag in the Test match, including a six-wicket haul and the final wicket of the contest in the second innings, to help bowl England out for 271 runs in pursuit of the 608-run target.
In the post-match proceedings, Akash Deep joined Cheteshwar Pujara for an interview with the Sony Sports Network, where he talked at length about what led to him delivering a sensational performance with the ball for India in the second Test this week. Following that, he got emotional while discussing what’s going on behind the scenes with his family, in regards to his sister.
Watch the video here:
Akash Deep opened up to Cheteshwar Pujara in latter stages of the interview, telling him that his sister has been battling against cancer for the past couple of months before dedicating his 10-wicket match bag to her. Shortly after, Pujara, during the Sony Sports Network’s post-match show, stated that he saw tears in the eyes of Deep, which weren’t quite visible on camera during the interview.
Akash Deep lost his father and brother in 2015
For those who don’t know, Akash Deep already lost his father and brother within a span of six months in 2015, and now that his sister is battling against cancer, he had to be incredibly strong mentally to just play for India, let alone deliver a match-winning performance on the grand stage. Now, it is expected that Akash Deep will continue to be a feature in the Indian playing XI when Jasprit Bumrah makes his return at Lord’s in London for the third Test, which will begin on Thursday, July 10.
India managed to win at Lord’s last time they played England in a Test match over there in 2021, which will give them the confidence to conquer the iconic venue in London once again.
