India pacer Akash Deep, who bowled a match-winning 10-wicket haul against England at Edgbaston, broke down post-match as he revealed his sister is battling cancer: “I just wanted to give her happiness.”
[Birmingham, UK], July 7:
India’s emphatic 336-run win in the second Test at Edgbaston not only leveled the series 1-1 against England but also showcased the emergence of a new star in Indian cricket — Akash Deep. The right-arm pacer, playing in place of Jasprit Bumrah, delivered a stunning 10-wicket match haul, including 6 wickets in the second innings, to help India script history at a venue where they had never won before.
But amid the celebrations, the 27-year-old fast bowler shared a deeply personal revelation that moved fans and teammates alike. In a post-match interview with Cheteshwar Pujara on JioHotstar, Akash Deep disclosed that his elder sister has been battling cancer for two months—a fact he had not shared publicly until then.
“Maine kisi ko bataya nahi (I haven’t told anyone). My elder sister is suffering from cancer. It was diagnosed two months ago. She is stable now, but she has gone through so much mentally. I dedicate my performance to her,” said an emotional Akash Deep.
“Behen yeh tumhare liye hai. (Sister, this is for you.) Whenever I held the ball, your face was in my mind. I just wanted to give you happiness. We are all with you.”
🏏 India’s New Bowling Hero Steps Up
In the absence of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested as part of workload management, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj took the lead in India’s bowling attack. Akash proved to be the standout, ripping through England’s batting line-up with skill and intensity, earning match figures of 10 wickets on a pitch where bowlers had to work for every dismissal.
He dismissed Ben Duckett and Joe Root on Day 4 before returning on Day 5 to remove Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, and eventually claim his first five-wicket haul in Tests.
💬 “It’s About Staying in the Moment”
Akash remained grounded after the game, saying:
“It is all about staying in the present. We should just enjoy this win at Edgbaston. We batted, bowled, and fielded well — all three departments clicked.”
When asked about the upcoming third Test at Lord’s, he kept things simple:
“To tell you the truth, I am not thinking about the next Test. If I play, my plan will be to bowl in consistent areas.”
📊 India’s Historic Edgbaston Win: Key Highlights
- India won by 336 runs, leveling the five-match series 1-1.
- Set a target of 608, England were bowled out for 271.
- Shubman Gill starred with a double century in the first innings and 161 in the second.
- Akash Deep’s 10 wickets and Siraj’s fiery spells dismantled England.
- This was India’s first-ever win at Edgbaston after 7 previous attempts.