Deep impact: Akash excels on debut

Bengal pacer, who has had to deal with hardships before coming into the limelight, runs through visitors' top order

- GOMESH S

AKASH Deep was leaping in the air, shouting and celebrating. In his second over, the 27-year-old pacer had castled Zak Crawley. An inswinger had sent the offstump cartwheeling. The excitement, though, was short-lived.

Just when Crawley started walking, the no-ball siren went off. The joy had been removed because of an unforced error.

But he was not flustered. For somebody who has been within handshaking distance of tragedies, he could deal with a momentary heartbreak.

Hailing from Sasaram in Bihar, the youngster didn't know what cricket was till the 2007 T20 World Cup. They had to crowdfund to rent a generator to watch the India v. Pakistan final in the village. As MS Dhoni held aloft the title, a dream, however unlikely, took root.