India pacer Akash Deep impressed one and all with his stunning exploits on Test debut against England in Ranchi on Friday (February 23).
The right-arm quick ran through England’s top-order with three wickets as India restricted the visitors to 302/7 at the close of play on Day 1.
Following the day’s play, Akash dedicated this performance to his father who died in 2015, and said he is happy that he has achieved his dad's dream of "becoming something in life".
After losing his father to paralysis, the cricketer encountered another major tragedy as his elder brother passed away within six months.
"I thought I have to do something after I lost my dad and brother in one year, then I stepped out to play cricket. I had nothing to lose and everything to win," Akash told reporters in the post-day presser.
Ben Duckett (11), Ollie Pope (0) and Zak Crawley (42) were his victims in the morning session. Thanks to his heroics, the hosts reduced England to 112/5 at Lunch on Day 1.
"I dedicate this to my father because it was his dream that his son does something in life. I couldn't do anything in his life (when he was alive), so this performance is for my father.
"Every cricketer has one dream, to play for India in Tests. That was also my dream," said the Bengal pacer who hails from Baddi village in Rohtas district of Bihar, about 300km from Ranchi.
"We didn't know about cricket while growing up; cricket was not there where I come from. I played tennis cricket after 2007 and got to know about cricket after 2016. Since then, I have been following (Mohammed) Shami bhai and (South Africa's Kagiso) Rabada.
"I got my Test cap at a place which is near to my village (in Bihar) as well as Bengal from where I play. Bengal supported me well. In my journey, my family played a big role.
"My family is also here. No doubt, it's an emotional feeling but there was just one thing going on in my mind -- how to contribute to the team."
On receiving his maiden Test cap from India coach Rahul Dravid, Akash Deep said, "He (Dravid) heard my story and I was very emotional (at the moment). I was just told to keep it simple, do whatever I have been doing (so far). It was a big help as, at this level, you sometimes get confused."
Akash Deep also revealed the advice he got from India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested for the Ranchi Test.
"Bumrah bhai told me that at the international level, one should bowl slightly back-of-a-length (deliveries) because batters tend to chase the ball. So, that was at the back of my mind and the plan was to bowl the right line and length," Akash told the host broadcasters earlier on Friday.
On his journey from making first-class debut in December 2019, he said, "I don't know what I did, but whenever I used to play a match, I used to think that this is the last match of my life, and whenever I achieved success in a given match, I tried to incorporate that (method) in the next game."
Senior batter Joe Root's patient unbeaten century (106) bailed England out of trouble as they ended the opening day with 300+ runs on the board.
"At the start, bowlers got some help but after that when the wicket dried up, the ball also became very soft. The pitch is pretty slow. We are able to manage it (bowling) but I feel that as a bowling unit, we will have to focus on our line and length, keep it tight. If we make that effort we will get success.
"The bounce is the same but, I feel, we can keep the length away because the ball is coming onto the bat easily. it was a good wicket today."
Akash Deep knocked over Zak Crawley's off-stump in his second over of the day but the umpire signalled it a no-ball.
"I felt very bad. Not because it was my first international wicket. He (Zak Crawley) was playing very well, he was hitting the ball and I was feeling bad that the team should not suffer because of me. But, thankfully, he got out soon after," Akash said.
(With PTI Inputs)
