Akash Deep’s Impressive Three-Wicket Haul on debut Against England before lunch

The Indian right-arm pacer Akash Deep almost had a dream start to his Test career when he cleans bowled Zak Crawley in the 4th over on the 1st day of the fourth Test against England in Ranchi on Friday.

It was a fantastic delivery that nipped back from a length around off and burst past Crawley’s inside edge, sending the off-stump cart-wheeling. But as luck, the sirens went off and the replays displayed that it was a front-foot no-ball.

Despite this, debutant Akash Deep continued to bowl full tilt and indeed made it a memorable debut nonetheless by getting his maiden Test wicket in the tenth over by inducing an edge off the bat of Ben Duckett off a delivery that nipped back in from a good length and then straightened onto the left-hander, made Duckett play the ball took the edge for a simple catch for Dhruv Jurel.

A Touching Debut: Akash Deep Honors Mother with Reverential Gesture after Receiving Test Cap

After 2 deliveries, Akash Deep trapped Ollie Pope plumb in front. Team India went for review and the replays showed Pope was coming down the pitch and was beaten on the inside edge, struck in front off and was taking out the top of the leg.

Akash then took his 3rd wicket in the next over when he clean-bowled Crawley by a delivery that jagged back, cut the right-hander in half and went on to hit the top of the off-stump.

Akash then took his 3rd wicket in the next over when he clean-bowled Crawley by a delivery that jagged back, cut the right-hander in half and went on to hit the top of off-stump. The Board of Control for Cricket in India shared a video of the three dismissals on X:

WWW 🤝 Akash Deep!

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/FUbQ3Mhpq9#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/YANSwuNsG0

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 23, 2024

The 27-year-old pacer has been one of the most consistent performers in recent times with his spectacular performances for India A being on display in the recent unofficial multiple-day series against England Lions, where he took 13 wickets.

None of his family members supported him to play cricket. Akash’s father Ramji Singh was a teacher in Bihar. “My father didn’t like me playing cricket. Bihar was out of the Ranji Trophy then and cricket didn’t offer a bright future. I used to play cricket secretly,” he said about his growing days.

In 2010, Akash moved to Bengal and began staying with his uncle. At a local academy, he joined as a batter. But as he was gaining height, coaches asked him to try fast bowling. But he suffered a setback even before his cricketing career began.

His father passed away after a paralytic attack. Within days, he lost his elder brother too. Those twin tragedies sent the youngster back to his home town.

After 3 years, he returned to Durgapur and joined the United Club in the CAB first-division league. It was difficult to transform from a tennis ball cricketer to a serious player.

In 2020, former Bengal pacer Ranadeb Bose worked with Akash and got picked for the Bengal U-23 side. During that time, he suffered a career-threatening back injury and head coach Sourasish Lahiri looked after his rehabilitation.

He made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2019. Later soon he was part of the RCB in IPL 2021. Next year he replaced injured Shivan Mavi in India’s squad for the 2022 Asian Games.