Akash is the limit for pacer Deep

The 28-year-old bowler from Bengal took a ten-fer at Edgbaston and dedicated his performance to sister battling cancer

- GOMESH S @ Chennai

AKASH Deep was asked about missing out on a five-wicket haul at the end of Day Three's play during the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston. He dismissed the question without blinking twice. That was after Mohammed Siraj revealed that he had suggested bowling defensively so that Akash Deep could get his fifth wicket.

"Fifers come and go, I don't think about it," he said in the video shared by the BCCI. It seemed like a premonition. Just one day later he did manage to get his first fifer in the second innings against England. But more importantly, he knew that it would be worth the wait. After all, that is what life had taught Akash Deep all through his 28 years. From crowdfunding to buy a TV to watch the 2007 T20 World Cup final in the Sasaram village, Bihar, toiling for years in tennis-ball cricket meets to losing both his father and brother in the same year, Akash Deep had endured them all.

It took him another nine years, several coaches including Ranadeb Bose, injury layoffs and an IPL stint before a Test call-up. It eventually came in 2024 against England at home.