‘My father and brother died within six months’ – Akash Deep opens up on coping up with family tragedy after getting selected in India’s Test squad against England
Akash Deep (Source: X)
Bengal pacer Akash Deep has received his first call-up to the Indian Test team. On Saturday Indian Cricket Board announced the team for the last Three Test matches. Shreyas Iyer has not been include for the last three matches against England. India has added another fast bowler Akash Deep.
In an interview with PTI when Akash Deep was sideline for the Ranji Trophy match against Kerala, he expressed his cricketing journey. Akash Deep stated that at a point in time, his parents didn’t allow to play him as there was no future for cricket in Bihar.
“I was hopeful that in near future I might get a Test call-up if I keep performing but I didn’t expect that it would come by the third match itself,” Akash Deep told PTI from Kerala.
Akash Deep has done well for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy for several seasons. In an interview with PTI, he stated that personal tragedies in his family have pushed him deep into cricket.
“Six months mein papa aur bhaiyya ka dehant ho gaya. Mere paas khoney ke liye kuch thaa nahi. Motivation yeh thaa ki aab kuch karna hai kyon ki family ki zimmedari leni hai (I had nothing to lose but needed to take responsibility).”
I never had a full-time coach – Akash Deep
Akash Deep got a chance to play for Durgapur a club in West Bengal. He earned money by playing tennis ball cricket.
“In the starting phase, I use to play proper leather ball matches but no money was earned. I would play tennis ball matches in three to four days in a month all over the district and earn up to Rs 6000 per day. So, I earned up to 20,000 per month, which would help me to carry my expenses on my own,” stated Akash.
Akash Deep revealed that he never had a full-time coach of his own and picked up many things from top Bengal stars. Mukesh Kumar who also plays for Bengal is playing alongside Akash Deep for India.
