Latest news with #ShreevatsGoswami
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How personal tragedy motivates India seamer Deep
"Why didn't you tell Siraj to bowl outside the off stump so that you could take five wickets?" That's what Bengal team-mate Shreevats Goswami jokingly asked Akash Deep after the first innings of the second England versus India Test. "No, no, whatever the team requires, we have to do that," Deep replied. The right-arm pacer, who had featured in just seven Tests for India before, eventually claimed a five-wicket haul in the second innings, helping India seal an impressive win. Deep stepped up in style, even earning praise from England captain Ben Stokes for "his ability to use and change his angles consistently and still be so accurate". 'He thought only the rich could play cricket' While Deep's name only began resonating in cricket circles after his 10 wickets at Edgbaston, his story stretches far deeper. Born in a small village in Bihar, one of India's most economically challenged states, Akash grew up believing cricket was a game for the wealthy. It was his childhood friend Vaibhav Kumar who first instilled belief in him. "Cricket wasn't very popular in Bihar back then. In our entire district, barely 20 to 25 people were playing leather-ball cricket," Vaibhav says. "Akash mostly played with a tennis ball, but whenever we took him along for a leather-ball match, he would always help us win. But Akash thought that only the rich could play cricket." Vaibhav, a cricketer himself, became convinced of Deep's talent after watching professional players up close. "We went to Jamshedpur, where a few Ranji Trophy and IPL players were playing in an academy. When I saw them bowling, I was like 'Akash is faster and better than them'," he recalls. "I asked the coaches there to take a look at him, and they were impressed too. They said if not India, Akash could definitely play IPL as long as he works hard." But before Deep could fully commit to the sport, tragedy struck. His father died in 2015, followed by his elder brother just six months later. With no primary breadwinner in the family, cricket was put on hold. "He bought a dumper on partnership after saving some money from farming and used it to earn a living. His mother also received half of her late husband's salary, which helped the family get by," Vaibhav says. Deep left the game for nearly three years, but his passion for cricket never fully disappeared. Determined to chase his dream, he decided to relocate to Bengal. "My father was posted in Bengal, and we decided to rent a flat there. I went to different clubs and asked them to consider Akash, but they would make fun of me," Vaibhav says. "But I didn't give up and requested one of the coaches multiple times to take a look at him just once. After seeing him, they agreed to play him." 'He had to believe in himself' That proved to be the turning point. Deep soon began playing in Bengal's domestic circuit and was quickly noticed. "He was on the fringes. But it was pretty evident that he was an exceptional talent. He had a lot of strength, good pace, and a natural ability to swing the ball. So, we brought him into the team and he did exceedingly well," says former India cricketer Arun Lal, then Bengal's coach. "He was so good that I am rather disappointed that it has taken him so long to surface on the international stage." But talent alone wasn't enough. Arun had to work on Akash's mindset. "He underestimated himself. So the idea was to work on his temperament rather than technique and try to get him to believe in himself," Arun says. His domestic performances eventually earned him a spot in the IPL, and soon after, in India's Test squad. Deep made his international debut in early 2024 against England, picking up three wickets. It seemed his fortunes had finally turned. But more hardship was around the corner. "His sister was diagnosed with cancer. He went through a lot of stress and would even turn his phone off. He was feeling mentally down since he had already lost his father and brother. But thankfully, she is fine now," Vaibhav says. Deep later dedicated his performance at Edgbaston to his sister. "Every time I picked up the ball, her thoughts and picture crossed my mind. This performance is dedicated to her. I want to tell her, 'Sis, we are all with you.'" After Edgbaston, Deep struggled at Lord's and missed the Old Trafford Test through injury, but his absence was felt as his replacement, Anshul Kamboj, struggled to adapt to English conditions. His return to the team cannot come quickly enough. Get cricket news sent straight to your phone
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
How personal tragedy motivates India seamer Deep
"Why didn't you tell Siraj to bowl outside the off stump so that you could take five wickets?"That's what Bengal team-mate Shreevats Goswami jokingly asked Akash Deep after the first innings of the second England versus India Test."No, no, whatever the team requires, we have to do that," Deep right-arm pacer, who had featured in just seven Tests for India before, eventually claimed a five-wicket haul in the second innings, helping India seal an impressive stepped up in style, even earning praise from England captain Ben Stokes for "his ability to use and change his angles consistently and still be so accurate". 'He thought only the rich could play cricket' While Deep's name only began resonating in cricket circles after his 10 wickets at Edgbaston, his story stretches far in a small village in Bihar, one of India's most economically challenged states, Akash grew up believing cricket was a game for the wealthy. It was his childhood friend Vaibhav Kumar who first instilled belief in him."Cricket wasn't very popular in Bihar back then. In our entire district, barely 20 to 25 people were playing leather-ball cricket," Vaibhav says. "Akash mostly played with a tennis ball, but whenever we took him along for a leather-ball match, he would always help us win. But Akash thought that only the rich could play cricket."Vaibhav, a cricketer himself, became convinced of Deep's talent after watching professional players up close."We went to Jamshedpur, where a few Ranji Trophy and IPL players were playing in an academy. When I saw them bowling, I was like 'Akash is faster and better than them'," he recalls."I asked the coaches there to take a look at him, and they were impressed too. They said if not India, Akash could definitely play IPL as long as he works hard."But before Deep could fully commit to the sport, tragedy struck. His father died in 2015, followed by his elder brother just six months no primary breadwinner in the family, cricket was put on hold."He bought a dumper on partnership after saving some money from farming and used it to earn a living. His mother also received half of her late husband's salary, which helped the family get by," Vaibhav left the game for nearly three years, but his passion for cricket never fully disappeared. Determined to chase his dream, he decided to relocate to Bengal."My father was posted in Bengal, and we decided to rent a flat there. I went to different clubs and asked them to consider Akash, but they would make fun of me," Vaibhav says."But I didn't give up and requested one of the coaches multiple times to take a look at him just once. After seeing him, they agreed to play him." 'He had to believe in himself' That proved to be the turning point. Deep soon began playing in Bengal's domestic circuit and was quickly noticed."He was on the fringes. But it was pretty evident that he was an exceptional talent. He had a lot of strength, good pace, and a natural ability to swing the ball. So, we brought him into the team and he did exceedingly well," says former India cricketer Arun Lal, then Bengal's coach."He was so good that I am rather disappointed that it has taken him so long to surface on the international stage."But talent alone wasn't enough. Arun had to work on Akash's mindset."He underestimated himself. So the idea was to work on his temperament rather than technique and try to get him to believe in himself," Arun domestic performances eventually earned him a spot in the IPL, and soon after, in India's Test squad. Deep made his international debut in early 2024 against England, picking up three seemed his fortunes had finally turned. But more hardship was around the corner."His sister was diagnosed with cancer. He went through a lot of stress and would even turn his phone off. He was feeling mentally down since he had already lost his father and brother. But thankfully, she is fine now," Vaibhav later dedicated his performance at Edgbaston to his sister."Every time I picked up the ball, her thoughts and picture crossed my mind. This performance is dedicated to her. I want to tell her, 'Sis, we are all with you.'"After Edgbaston, Deep struggled at Lord's and missed the Old Trafford Test through injury, but his absence was felt as his replacement, Anshul Kamboj, struggled to adapt to English return to the team cannot come quickly enough.
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
India asked to 'forfeit' game against Pakistan in Asia Cup: 'If you play, it will make nation angry and it should'
Shreevats Goswami, who was a part of the U19 World Cup-winning squad in 2008, has urged India to "forfeit" the match against Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup, which is set to be played in September 2025. The schedule for the competition was unveiled over the weekend, and India might play against Pakistan potentially on three occasions. Both teams have been placed in the same group, and the first encounter will happen on September 14. India will play Pakistan in the Asia Cup on September 14. (AFP) The calls are growing for the BCCI and India to boycott the Asia Cup and the fixture against Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor. Earlier, it was reported that BCCI would pull out of the Asia Cup as the Indian cricket board doesn't want to play against Pakistan, considering the deteriorating political and diplomatic relations between the two countries. Goswami has now said that India should forfeit the match against Pakistan if they decide to participate in the tournament, saying the entire nation would be angry if the game goes ahead on September 14. 'My read on the Asia cup going forward is India to & must forfeit the game against Pakistan& let them qualify. We don't need to win the Asia Cup. The only reason India is participating cause it helps other nations economically or else I don't see any reason,' Goswami wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 'Ideally, this is what should & must happen & if India decides to play against pak it will make the nation angry! It should! #AsiaCup2025,' he added. India versus Pakistan matches in the Asia Cup India might potentially face off against Pakistan on three separate occasions in the upcoming Asia Cup. The two teams will play first on September 14, and then, if both of them make it to the Super 4 stage, they might square off on September 21. Also Read: Sourav Ganguly is 'okay' with India playing Pakistan in Asia Cup If the two teams qualify for the final, then they will face off yet again on September 28. The Asia Cup 2025 will feature eight teams. India have been drawn alongside Pakistan, the UAE and Oman. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong make up the other group. Earlier, former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria had also questioned why India decided to play against Pakistan. He brought up the recent cancellation of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 match between the two teams. The tensions between India and Pakistan continue to rise after the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists. India then launched Operation Sindoor, targetting the terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Entire nation will be angry if India plays Pakistan in Asia Cup: Ex-RCB wicketkeeper
Former wicketkeeper Shreevats Goswami has urged India not to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, even if they decide to participate in the T20 tournament. The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricketer said the entire country would be angered if India proceeds with their scheduled match against Pakistan on 14 to boycott the Asia Cup have been growing ever since the Asian Cricket Council announced the schedule of the continental tournament on Saturday, 25 July. The Asia Cup is set to be held in the UAE from 9 to 28 September, with the marquee India vs Pakistan clash scheduled for 14 and Pakistan could potentially face each other up to three times in the Asia Cup. The two sides could meet again on 22 September if both qualify for the Super Fours, and possibly in the final — a stage where they have never previously met in the tournament's history. Sources told India Today in June that India would neither host nor participate in the Asia Cup in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and said India are taking part in the Asia Cup solely because it supports the financial stability of other Asian Cricket Council members. Although the BCCI hold the hosting rights for the Asia Cup, they have opted to stage the tournament at a neutral venue."My read on the Asia Cup going forward is India to & must forfeit the game against Pakistan & let them qualify. We don't need to win the Asia Cup. The only reason India is participating [is] because it helps other nations economically, or else I don't see any reason. Ideally this is what should & must happen & if India decides to play against Pak it will make the nation angry! It should!" Shreevats Goswami wrote in a post on remarks came just hours after former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria questioned why India were prepared to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup, while Indian players had boycotted the World Championship of Legends match against Pakistan earlier in the 22 April terrorist attack claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists, after gunmen opened fire following questions about the victims' religious identity. The Resistance Front (TRF), also known as Kashmir Resistance, initially claimed responsibility but later denied involvement as tensions between India and Pakistan escalated. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) identified TRF chief Sheikh Sajjad Gul as the mastermind behind the retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor on 7 May, targeting nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This marked a sharp military escalation, including cross-border attacks and strikes on Pakistani bases, which de-escalated after a bilateral deal to cease hostilities. Later in May, India dispatched seven multi-party delegations to 33 global capitals, including Washington, to highlight Pakistan's links to terrorism and garner international Asia Cup will feature eight teams, two more than the previous edition, which India won in 2023. India have been drawn alongside Pakistan, the UAE and Oman. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong comprise the other group. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Fours stage, with the top two from that round advancing to the final on 28 September.- EndsMust Watch
News18
2 days ago
- Sport
- News18
India Asked To Forfeit Asia Cup Match Vs Pakistan: 'It Will Make The Nation Angry'
Last Updated: Shreevats Goswami has urged India to forfeit the 2025 Asia Cup game against Pakistan, citing national anger due to recent cross-border tensions. Former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) cricketer Shreevats Goswami has urged the Indian team to forfeit the 2025 Asia Cup game against Pakistan and let the latter qualify for the next round. He feels that if the team were to go ahead with playing the match, it should and will make the country 'very angry'. India is supposed to play Pakistan on September 14. The two teams are part of the same group, which means if they qualify in the top two, they'll play again in the Super-Four stage with the possibility of meeting a third time in the final. This comes only a few weeks after the brutal Pahalgam attack and the ensuing cross-border firing between India and Pakistan, which led to losses of scores of Indian lives. BCCI are the official hosts of the tournament though the matches will be played in the UAE. Even if India forfeit the game, they can still qualify in the top two by beating UAE and Oman. Moreover, unlike in other sports, there's no transparency about the deciding process of the groups of tournaments like the Asia Cup, which are only announced along with the schedule. Naturally, India and Pakistan have been in the same groups for years, even in ICC tournaments. This guarantees them at least one match against each other and a windfall of revenue for the broadcasters, for it's one of the most popular sporting events in the world. Recently, even the 'India Champions' side, part of the private retired-cricketers league World Championship of Legends, were forced to back-out from a group stage game against Pakistan after backlash from social media fans. Many had called them 'hypocrites' for their anti-Pakistan stand after the terror attack. view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 16:34 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
