England vs India, 2nd Test: Akash Deep played a match-winning role in India’s 336-run victory over England in Birmingham. He dedicated his 10-wicket haul to his sister, who has been battling cancer for two months.
Fast bowler Akash Deep dedicated his match-winning performance in the 2nd Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England in Birmingham to his elder sister, revealing she has been battling cancer over the last two months. In an emotional post-match chat with broadcasters, Akash said he wanted to put a smile on her face, and he was reminded of her struggles every time he had the ball in his hand.
Akash Deep played a crucial role in India’s 336-run victory as the visitors hammered England, handing them their biggest defeat in the Bazball era at home. Akash took 10 wickets, including a six-wicket haul in the second innings, becoming only the second Indian bowler after Chetan Sharma to achieve a 10-wicket match haul in a Test match in England.
“I have not told this to anyone. My elder sister has been suffering with cancer for the last two months. She is now stable, she is fine. I think she will be the happiest (seeing my performance). I want to dedicate this match to her. I wanted to see a smile on her face,” Akash Deep said.
“This is for you. Whenever I held the ball in my hand, your face was in my mind. I want to see happiness in your face. We are all with you,” he said, sending a message to her sister.
Akash was relentless with his pace and ability to extract seam movement on a lifeless pitch that had nearly nothing for the bowlers. HIs ability to skid the ball after pitching ensured he got the most out of a pitch that refused to deteriorate.
AKASH RUNS RIOT IN ‘FAMILIAR’ CONDITIONS
Haivng made his debut in February 2024, Akash played seven Tests last year. His performances in Brisbane and Melbourne — his first taste of Test cricket overseas did not go according to plan. Despite bowling well, Akash was not able to pick wickets like he did in Birmingham.
The change was in his mindset and the lengths he wanted to bowl in England. As captain Shubman Gill pointed out, Akash bowled with a lot of heart and control.
“We have played on such wickets a lot in India. We had the same plan, I wanted to hit the right areas. What’s happening off the pitch is not in my control. I wanted to put in a bit more effort when it comes to hitting the seam on the pitch. And when it lands on the right areas, I get movement,” he said.
Akash broke the back of England’s top-order in both innings, getting the ball to skid through the surface and jag bag prodigiously against right-handers.
