Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra hailed Akash Deep for his match-winning bowling spell after India’s huge win of 336 runs at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Sunday. India registered their first win at the venue and also secured their biggest away win in terms of runs.
Deep, who was playing his first match of the series, played an instrumental role as he bagged a 10-wicket haul. The right-arm pacer from Bengal returned with match figures of 10-187, which is the best for any Indian bowler in England.
The fast bowler returned with figures of 6-99 in the second innings after claiming 4-88 in the first essay. Deep was immaculate in his line and length and also got the ball to swing and seam.
“Akash Deep’s story is very interesting. Of course, he bowled extremely well, which all of us saw. The ball moves after pitching. In fact, he is more of a seam bowler. There are two kinds of bowlers. One swings the ball in the air, and the other bowler keeps the ball straight in the air, but the ball moves left or right after pitching. He falls in the second category,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“His ball comes almost straight in the air, and then comes in very sharply after pitching. If you don’t believe me, ask Harry Brook because he couldn’t figure out the ball at all. It pitched and came in quickly, not once, but in both innings, and on a flat pitch. He bowled consistently with that penetration. The new ball suits him more, but he has been consistent,” he added.
Chopra highlighted that Deep’s cricketing journey is inspiring as he had to move from Bihar to Bengal to pursue his career.
“His story is beautiful. The most beautiful part of that story is that he comes from Bihar, and neither did he have too much scope for playing cricket there nor did he get any encouragement from his family. He went to Bengal, saying he would work, but was pursuing cricket,” he said.
The former Delhi cricketer noted that Deep faced many lows, including losing his father and elder brother in an interval of two months but bounced back strongly.
“He was getting a monthly stipend of ₹10,000 from a club, and then he lost his father. Both his father and elder brother passed away, and in a gap of just two months. He had to put a temporary halt to his cricket, but then he started again,” Chopra observed.
“He has pursued his dream. Now he has taken a 10-wicket haul. He has been absolutely phenomenal and has had a phenomenal journey as well. Now also, the elder sister has cancer. Why does the sorrow not end? He dedicated this 10-wicket haul to his sister. Akash has shone like a Deep,” he elaborated.
The third Test match between India and England will be played at Lord’s, London from 10th July onwards.
