From Baddi to Test Debut: Akash Deep's Inspirational Journey

With an Akash Deep to brag about, cricket enthusiasts in Baddi village, close to Sasaram, Bihar, won't need to go far for motivation.

The 27-year-old pacer is from Baddi, a place with very little cricket infrastructure, and gained notoriety after making outstanding performances for Bengal and India 'A'. But after taking the game more seriously, he just needed eight years to overcome all obstacles and earn an India Test cap.

On Friday, the opening day of his international cricket career, Akash found victory at the JSCA International Stadium. Joe Root's century helped the visitors build 302, but India's seven-down lead over England at stumps on Day I was mostly down to his spell (7-0-24-3), which began on the opening morning of this fourth Test.

Akash had his family by his side on his special day.

"He called us on Thursday, letting us know that he would be making his debut and asking us to be at the ground." Together with the pacer's mother Laduma Devi and his two nieces, Akash's cousin Baibhaw Kumar Choubey stated, "We traveled by car from Sasaram and arrived in Ranchi at about 2.30am today (Friday)."

When a child in Baddi back then declared his goal to play cricket, it was seen as a transgression. There were essentially no crickets at all. However, considering Akash's accomplishments, children have someone to look up to.

In addition, Akash's life was made much more difficult in 2015 as he lost both his father and his older brother in the span of eight months. But even in his tennis-ball cricket days, his devotion was unwavering.

Akash acknowledged the importance of his family and dedicated the performance to his late father Ramji. He said, "I got my Test cap at a place which is closer to Bengal, where I play, and my village." I was feeling rather emotional about the event since my family is also there.

However, I also kept in mind that I had an obligation to support my team. That really took up more room.

"My family has played a significant part. That's why, Kyunki, even if aap ghar ke do bade logon ko kho dete hain, aapke paas khone ke liye kuchh bhi nahi rehta hai. Alhamdulillah, ghar se baahar nikla thha 2016 mein... ke merey paas khone ke liye kuchh bhi nahi hai, paane ke liye sabkuchh hai (Because, you have nothing more to lose when you lose two elders of your home in a year). I had departed from home in 2016 with the idea that I had nothing to lose. nonetheless, plenty to gain).

Just after coach Rahul Dravid gave him the Test cap, Akash went into action. Utilizing the angles, he tucked the ball back in to clear up Zak Crawley and trap Ollie Pope for a leg bye.
That came after he cut one to make Ben Duckett's sword lose its edge.

I was instructed to keep things simple by the coaches and the captain. That was very helpful to me because, at this level, there's a lot of uncertainty about what has to be done, and that has an impact on performance, Akash said.

Ranadeb Bose, a former Bengal pacer and current national junior selector, deserves a good deal of the credit for Akash's development. In addition to honing Akash's run-up, action, and release, Bose taught him how to use angles during his time as Bengal's fast bowling coach. Right now, Akash is enjoying the rewards.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.