Akash Deep's sister suffering from cancer; India pacer gets emotional after 10-wicket-haul: 'Maine kisi ko bataya nahi'
India pacer Akash Deep dedicated his ten-wicket haul at Edgbaston to his elder sister. He revealed that she is suffering from cancer.
Pacer Akash Deep proved to be the ultimate game-changer in the Edgbaston Test against England as the fast bowler returned with a match-haul of 10 wickets, helping India register a 336-run win in the second Test to level the five-match series. The right-arm quick scalped six wickets in the second innings, his effort helping India bowl England out for 271. Nobody gave India a chance of taking 20 wickets after Jasprit Bumrah sat out owing to his workload management. However, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj stepped up in his absence, proving the doubters wrong.
After the game came to an end, Akash Deep got emotional during his post-match interview with JioHotstar. Speaking to Cheteshwar Pujara, Akash revealed that his elder sister is suffering from cancer, which was diagnosed two months ago.
He dedicated his 10-wicket haul to his sister, saying he is thinking of her at all times.
“Maine kisi ko bataya nahi (I haven't told anyone about this). My elder sister is suffering from cancer. It was diagnosed two months ago. She is okay right now. She is stable. She would be so happy with my performance. She has gone through so much mentally in the last two months. I dedicate my performance to her,” said Akash Deep.
“I just wanted to give her happiness with my performance,” he added.
Also Read: Akash Deep does to England what no other bowler in Test cricket has in 49 years
When asked what message he would like to give to his sister, Akash Deep said, “Behen yeh tumare liye hai. (This is for you.) Whenever I held the ball. I was just thinking about you as your face was popping up throughout. I just wanted to give you happiness. We are all with you.”
Akash Deep's workhorse-like effort
In the second innings, Akash Deep bowled with his tail up. He provided India with the best start possible as he dismissed Ben Duckett and Joe Root in the final session on Day 4.
Akash continued from where he left off in the first session on Day 5, dismissing overnight batters Ollie Pope and Harry Brook. On a dead Edgbaston track, the right-arm pacer made the ball talk, and even outbowled the England pacers.
"It is all about staying in the present. I think we should just enjoy this win at Edgbaston. We batted, bowled and fielded well. All three departments went great. It is about staying in the moment," said Akash Deep during his chat with Akash Deep.
The Indian pacer rounded the conversation off by revealing that he is not thinking about the upcoming Test at Lord's. “To tell you the truth, I am not thinking about the next Test. If I play that Test, my plan would be to bowl in consistent areas,” said Akash.
The Lord's Test will begin on Thursday, July 10 with both India and England having everything to play for as the series stands levelled at 1-1.
