India in England: Akash is the limit for pacer Deep
"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 tournaments 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 lay-offs and an IPL stint before a Test call-up. It eventually came in 2024 against England at home. When he made his Test debut, it was his mother, sister and family members who were present at the venue in Ranchi and in their presence, Akash Deep got his cap from former head coach Rahul Dravid. He put on a show, running through the English line-up in front of his family, helping India secure the series. One of the things he keeps saying even now, as he did after his debut last year is: "My family has a big role to play in my success because when you lose two family members in a year, you don't have much to lose but only to gain." That sort of perspective is what helped him keep up with the grind. It is for his family, including his sister who was battling cancer, Akash Deep wanted to not just play for India but win matches as well. So when he missed out on a fifer in the first innings, it was the last thing on his mind. He knew that the job is only half done and come the fourth innings, he will get another chance.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
9 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Mohammed Siraj rams shoulder into Ben Duckett in red-hot send-off as tempers boil over on Day 4, umpire rushes to action
India struck early on Day 4 of the third Test at Lord's as Mohammed Siraj dismissed Ben Duckett for 12, following up the breakthrough with a fiery send-off that reignited the tensions from the previous evening. Siraj's animated celebration prompted an intervention from the on-field umpire, who walked in from square leg to caution the pacer for his aggressive reaction. Mohammed Siraj gives Ben Duckett a send-off after dismissing him on Day 4(X) The wicket came in the sixth over of England's second innings, with Siraj bowling a 140kph back-of-a-length delivery just outside off. Duckett, attempting to pull it down the ground, failed to generate enough power or direction, dragging it off the inside half of the bat straight to Jasprit Bumrah at mid-on. As Bumrah completed the catch, Siraj ran towards Duckett, shouting in celebration just inches away from the departing batter. There was a visible shoulder gesture as well, before the umpire stepped in. The celebration continued the hostile atmosphere that had developed at the end of Day 3, when Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley were involved in a verbal exchange after India sarcastically applauded Crawley's call for the physio. That incident ended with words exchanged between players, and Siraj's reaction on Saturday morning added to the tensions on the field between the two sides. Duckett had shown intent early in the same over with an audacious lap shot, but his decision to take on Siraj again with a risky pull proved costly. The wicket left England at 22/1, with India looking to capitalise after levelling the first-innings score at 387. The early breakthrough gave India momentum in a match now effectively reduced to a second-innings shootout. A charged-up end to Day 3 Tensions between the two teams had already begun to boil over during the final over of Day 3, when Crawley's repeated delays in Bumrah's opening over with the new ball led to visible frustration in the Indian camp. Crawley, after being struck on the glove, called for the physio, prompting sarcastic applause from Indian fielders. This was after Crawley had already dragged the over after stopping Bumrah twice in his run-up, citing sight-screen issues. Gill was especially animated and also hurled down expletives from the slips towards the batter. After Crawley called for a physio, Gill also gestured towards the English dressing room. Duckett intervened, escalating the moment as players from both sides engaged in a tense verbal exchange.
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
'We had MS Dhoni but if Rishabh Pant continues to play like this .... ': Former India cricketer makes bold claim
Rishabh Pant and MS Dhoni (Agency Photos) Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwari has expressed high praise for India's vice-captain Rishabh Pant , suggesting he could become history's greatest wicketkeeper if he maintains his distinctive playing style. Pant has made a significant impact in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, scoring 416 runs across five innings, including two centuries at Headingley. "Rishabh Pant is unique, he has his own style of play. His thinking and approach are different to batters which causes an unpredictable contest between the batters and bowlers. He sometimes does throw his wicket which causes criticism but his success rate is high. If a wicket-keeper is contributing 100 runs, historically Indian wicket-keeper batters have not been successful with the bat," Tiwari told IANS. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "We have had some great keepers like Adam Gilchrist, who was great behind the stumps and with the bat, in Indian conditions, we had MS Dhoni but I believe if he continues to play like this, he will go down as the greatest wicket-keeper in history," he added. In the current five-Test series, Pant holds the second position in run-scoring behind captain Shubman Gill . He has broken multiple records at Edgbaston and accumulated 601 runs in the series. Poll Which aspect of Rishabh Pant's game do you find most impressive? His unique playing style His run-scoring ability His wicketkeeping skills "Gill is in very good form and has made some technical adjustments. In earlier Test matches, he used to get bowled by incoming deliveries but he has worked on closing the gap between bat and ball. The benefit for that is he is able to play straight down the wicket. He is in control and in great form. It seems like he has added the responsibility of being a captain while betting. It is great to see a young batter lead the team," added Tiwari. Jasprit Bumrah , the top-ranked bowler, returned to the Indian team at Lord's Test after missing the Edgbaston Test due to workload management. He replaced Prasidh Krishna in the team. Bumrah secured figures of 5/74, earning his place on the Lord's Honours Board. "When Bumrah is playing, he is usually the best performer on the field. The form with which he is bowling it seems he will continue to trouble the batters. His ability with the ball and his IQ on the field is amazing. He has been India's main man across all formats. When he is in the team, the self-belief of the side is much more," Tiwari said. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG Test: 'Not Bazball, just arrogance' - Kumar Sangakkara slams Harry Brook after reckless dismissal at Lord's
Harry Brook's aggressive brand of cricket came crashing down at Lord's on Day 4 of the third Test, as the England batter threw his wicket away while attempting a premeditated sweep against Akash Deep. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Former Sri Lanka captain and Sky Sports pundit Kumar Sangakkara didn't hold back in his assessment, labelling Brook's approach as 'arrogance' rather than Bazball. "It is just arrogance. Not even Bazball," Sangakkara said bluntly. "Harry scored 15 runs against Akash Deep and then played a silly shot — that's arrogance." Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. Brook, who had counter-attacked with flair by hitting Akash Deep for three consecutive boundaries — including a majestic straight six — was bowled for 23 off 19 balls. Attempting an audacious sweep to a full delivery angled in at middle stump, Brook missed completely as the ball crashed into the stumps behind his legs. His dismissal reduced England to 98/4 at lunch, with India surging back into the contest. With both teams scoring 387 in the first innings, England's slender lead of 98 runs at lunch looked increasingly fragile as India pushed for a 2-1 lead in the five-Test series. Why Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah lost their cool in last five minutes of Day 3 vs England Earlier in the session, Mohammed Siraj had lit up Lord's with a fiery spell, dismissing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope. Siraj convinced captain Shubman Gill to take a review after trapping Pope in front — a successful DRS call that sparked wild celebrations. He also gave Duckett a send-off laced with aggression, celebrating in the batter's face with a shoulder bump after removing him cheaply.
