Kolkata : Bengal and Indian pacer Akash Deep picked 10 wickets in 2nd Test of ongoing England vs India series and helped India script history at Edgbaston, Birmingham, as they win their first ever Test Match at the venue since 1967. India’s 336 runs massive victory over England is the biggest away win for them.
Born in Sasaram, Bihar, Akash was deeply in love and played Cricket since childhood, at a time when Bihar Cricket Association was suspended. Later he moved to Bengal in Durgapur and grew up there to represent Bengal team, IPL and thereby India, eventually making his Test debut against England in 2024.
Against the same England, he stood firm, picking 10 wickets in 2nd Test at Edgbaston, in a bowling lineup that had no Jasprit Bumrah (since he was rested for this Test) and India were trailing 0-1 after losing first Test.
The Bengal pacer replaced Jasprit Bumrah in the 2nd Test, filling in big shoes. India posted mammoth 587 runs in the very first innings, owing to skipper Shubman Gill’s double hundred. On a flat deck initially, it was all over to the Indian bowlers now to take all 10 wickets quickly.
Akash Deep quickly ripped apart english top order dismissing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope on ducks.
Despite being on 84-5, english Batters Jamie Smith (184*) and Harry Brook (158) notched vital 303 runs partnership to ease off pressure from England. But Akash Deep yet again rose to occasion, dismissing set Brook and Chris Woakes, as England were bundled out on 407. Akash Deep finished with spell of 4/88 in 20 overs, taking 4 important wickets.
Coming to Bat in the 2nd Innings, India yet again posted massive total of 427-6 d, with help of Shubman Gill’s century, setting 608 runs target for England on Day 4.
With only 2 results possible – either win for India or draw and conditions forecasted to be rainy the next day (last day) , which risked loss of overs, all eyes were on the Bowlers especially pacers to take 10 english wickets quickly. Akash Deep rose to occasion yet again.
The 28 years old ripped apart english Batting order. He picked early wickets of Ben Duckett and veteran Joe Root by the end of Day 4, finding their timbers, and put India on driver’s seat.
The last day started with a rain delay and loss of overs and forecast stated more rain later on the day. Hence, bowlers required to take the 7 remaining english wickets quickly.
Akash Deep quickly dismissed in form Ollie Pope and Harry Brook to start the day in a sweeter note. Later in the innings, where Jamie Smith (88) and Brydon Carse (38) displayed great fights, Akash Deep dismissed both off short Balls, finishing with match winning spell of 6/99. The iconic spell is now written with golden words along with India’s first ever win in history books.
After the match in an interview with former teammate Cheteshwar Pujara, Akash emotionally revealed that his elder sister has been suffering from cancer for last 2 months, despite being stable now. He dedicated this win to her.
“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 added, sending a message to his sister.
India now levelled the Test Series 1-1, and will next face England at Lords in 3rd Test starting from July 10, 2025.
