India's game-changing performance in the Edgbaston Test against England came from bowler Akash Deep, who returned with 10 wickets and helped the visitors win the second Test by 336 runs to tie the five-match series.  

Due to his workload management, Jasprit Bumrah sat out, and no one offered India a chance to take 20 wickets. But in his absence, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep took over, and the outcome is evident to everybody.

After scoring 587 in the first innings, India bowled out England for 407 thanks to Mohammed Siraj’s 6/70 and Akash Deep’s support. England was set 608 runs to win as India posted 427/6d in their second innings.

India bundled out England for 271 thanks to the right-arm speedster's six wickets in the second innings. Akash Deep picked 4/88 and 6/99 in two innings, to not only take his maiden fifer in Tests and maiden ten-fer as well.

Akash Deep became emotional during his post-match interview after the game ended. Speaking with Cheteshwar Pujara, Akash Deep disclosed that his older sister was stricken with cancer two weeks 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. I just wanted to give her happiness with my performance,” said Akash Deep to Pujara for JioHotstar.

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 had rattled England in the second innings with key wickets of Joe Root and Ben Duckett, and continued on day 5 with wickets of Harry Brook and Ollie Pope. On a dead Edgbaston track, the right-arm pacer made the ball talk, and he even out-bowled 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.

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. 

Given that the series is tied at one all, India and England have everything to gain from the start of the Lord's Test on Thursday, July 10.