Akash Deep reveals his sister is suffering from cancer, sends emotional message after 10-wicket haul vs England

New Delhi: Akash Deep bowled his heart out to help India thrash England by 336 runs in the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham to record their biggest victory in an away Test and level the five-match series 1-1. The pacer picked up a six-wicket haul to run through the England batting line-up in their second innings to set up India’s maiden Test victory at Edgbaston, bringing an end to a 58-year-long wait.

Akash Deep’s six-fer helped India bowl out England for 271 runs inside two sessions in their 608-run chase in their second innings on the final fifth day of the Test match. It was Akash Deep’s maiden fifer in Test cricket as he finished with brilliant figures of 6/99 in England’s second innings. Having picked 4 wickets in the hosts’ first innings of the Test match, Akash Deep finished with a 10-wicket match haul at Edgbaston.

After his match-winning effort with the ball, Akash Deep got emotional during his post-match interview as he revealed his sister is suffering from cancer. The pacer, who hails from Bihar’s Sasaram and plays for Bengal, said the cancer was diagnosed two months ago. He dedicated his performance to his sister while sending an emotional message of support to her.

“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. I just wanted to see her happy,” Akash Deep told veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara during the interview.

“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,” he added, sending a message to his sibling, who is fighting a battle of her own.

Akash Deep steps up in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence

Akash Deep stepped up for India in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah in the Edgbaston Test to inspire the visitors to their maiden victory at the venue. India had not won a Test match at the venue in their last eight attempts, however, Akash Deep’s sensational effort with the ball across England’s two innings, helped India end the long-standing drought.

Akash Deep sizzled with the new ball during England’s first innings, removing opener Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope on ducks apiece. He also picked up the important wicket of centurion Harry Brook to break the 303-run stand between him and Jamie Smith. Akash Deep finished with figures of 4/88 as England could only manage 407 in response to India’s first innings total of 587 runs.

The pacer continued his impressive spell during England’s second innings as he ran riot to pick up his maiden Test fifer. Akash Deep picked up 6/99 off his 21.1 overs to help India bowl out the hosts for 271 runs and secure a thumping victory in the 2nd Test.