Birmingham: In a poignant revelation following his ten-wicket haul that powered India to a commanding 336-run victory over England at Edgbaston on July 6, Bengal’s 28-year-old pace sensation, Akash Deep, opened up about his sister’s ongoing battle with cancer, dedicating his stellar performance to her unwavering spirit. The emotional disclosure came after a match that saw him dismantle the English batting line-up, bringing the series level.
“Every time I had the ball in my hand, her thoughts would cross my mind. This performance is dedicated to her. I want to tell her, ‘Sis, we are all with you’,” shared the speedster, his voice laced with emotion, as he spoke about his sister’s two-month struggle with the illness. He further confessed to Cheteshwar Pujara on ‘Jio Hotstar’ that he had kept this personal struggle private until now. “I have not spoken about this with anyone but two months back, my sister was diagnosed with cancer. She will be very happy with my performance and this will bring some smiles back,” he remarked, clearly moved.
Reflecting on his on-field brilliance, Akash Deep expressed immense satisfaction with how his meticulously planned strategies unfolded. He elaborated on his bowling approach, stating, “My main aim was to hit the seam on hard lengths and let the ball move in.” For seasoned batsman Joe Root, the tactic was precise: “In case of Joe Root, my aim was to bowl from wide off the crease and get it to shape away.” Against the aggressive Harry Brook, his plan was equally clear: “In case of Harry Brook, I knew that he is committed on the backfoot and wanted to hit the seam hard and on fuller length, getting it to move in.” The execution of these plans translated into crucial wickets, turning the tide in India’s favour.
A proponent of living in the present, Akash Deep stated his desire to fully savour this career-defining performance rather than prematurely dwelling on the upcoming Test at the iconic Lord’s cricket ground, scheduled from July 10-14. “I haven’t thought about my game-plan for Lord’s. But it won’t be very different from what it has been here. There would be days when it would work and there would be days, it won’t work,” he asserted. Emphasizing a consistent approach, he concluded, “Our job is to stick to our strengths and believe in our processes.”
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