Akash Deep’s rise in cricket is nothing short of inspiring. Born in Dehri, Bihar, his early life was marked by immense personal loss — he lost his father in 2015 and his elder brother not long after. With the weight of responsibilities on his young shoulders, Akash moved to Durgapur in West Bengal, hoping to continue his studies. But even in the midst of grief and uncertainty, cricket never left his mind.
What started as a passion soon turned into purpose. In 2019, after years of grinding it out in club cricket and local leagues, Akash finally got his big break — a place in the Bengal Ranji Trophy squad. That moment marked the beginning of a journey defined by hard work, grit, and unwavering focus.
Since then, Akash has grown into one of Bengal’s most dependable red-ball seamers. His relentless consistency and ability to strike early with the new ball quickly made him a standout in domestic cricket, his performances sealed the final place for Bengal in two Ranji seasons but on both occasions, they fell short in the finals.
A Dream Debut in Ranchi
Akash Deep’s consistent performances in the domestic circuit eventually paid off when he earned his maiden Test cap during England’s tour of India in 2025. Making his debut in Ranchi, he wasted no time making an impression. From the moment he was handed the red ball, there was a buzz — and Akash didn’t disappoint.
England’s top order quickly realised they were up against someone who wasn’t just another debutant. Bowling with relentless discipline, Akash hit tight channels, moved the ball both ways off the seam, and brought a skiddy pace that made life uncomfortable for the batters. In his very first spell, he dismantled England’s top three, exposing their techniques and setting the tone for the match.
Observers and former cricketers were quick to draw comparisons. With Mohammed Shami in the twilight of his career due to recurring injuries, Akash Deep suddenly looked like a ready-made successor — someone who could seamlessly step into the shoes of India’s seasoned warhorse and carry the baton forward in red-ball cricket.
Harsh Lessons Down Under
But cricket — especially Test cricket — rarely lets a player settle in for long. Akash Deep got a real taste of that unforgiving reality during India’s tour of Australia. There, he toiled hard, sending down long spells under the sun, often without much to show for it. Time and again, the ball beat the bat, whistled past the outside edge, but the rewards stayed elusive. He kept charging in, kept hitting the deck — but wickets were hard to come by.
Despite the challenges with the ball, Akash found a silver lining in an unlikely department — the bat. In the Gabba Test, with India staring at a possible follow-on, Akash played a gritty knock of 31 runs, showing heart and resilience. His innings helped India avoid the follow-on and earned him plenty of praise for his fighting spirit.
A Work in Progress
Before the England series, Akash Deep had played 7 Tests, and while the numbers weren’t eye-popping, there was enough in his bowling to suggest promise. His rhythm was smooth, his action repeatable, and his control decent. But there was one key area that needed work — his length.
Too often, Akash erred on the shorter side, allowing batters to leave or play with soft hands. He was beating the bat, yes, but not drawing edges or forcing mistakes often enough. It was clear: to become more lethal, he had to pitch the ball a touch fuller, bring the stumps into play, and make the batters commit.
The raw ingredients were there — pace, seam movement, a solid temperament — but the finishing touches were still in the making. The Australia tour was a reality check, but also a crucial learning curve in his journey as a red-ball bowler.
The Edgbaston Redemption
When Akash Deep was named as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement for the Edgbaston Test, the pressure was immense. Replacing your country’s pace spearhead on one of the toughest away tours isn’t an easy ask. But Akash wasn’t just filling in — he was ready to make a statement.
Learning from his earlier outings, Akash made one crucial adjustment that changed everything — he pitched the ball fuller. That small tweak in length, combined with his natural seam movement and skiddy pace, turned him into a nightmare for the English batters. The ball was moving both ways, the channels were tight, and suddenly, England had no answers.
And what followed was nothing short of magical — Akash returned with match figures of 10 for 187 (4/88 in the first innings, 6/99 in the second), his first 10-wicket haul in Test cricket, and a performance that will be etched in Indian cricket history.
There were moments of sheer class: a sharp nip-backer to rattle Harry Brook’s stumps and a peach that pitched middle and seamed away to castle Joe Root — a delivery any fast bowler would dream of.
As Shubman Gill held onto the final catch to seal the victory, Akash stood tall, arms aloft, soaking in the moment. It was India’s first-ever Test win at Edgbaston, and Akash Deep had turned a burden into brilliance. This wasn’t just a performance — it was a turnaround, a statement, and the arrival of a bowler who had found his rhythm on the big stage.
The Lord’s Reality Check and the Road Ahead
But as they say, Test cricket is the ultimate leveller — and Akash Deep didn’t have to wait long to be reminded of that. Just a week after his heroics at Edgbaston, he found himself struggling at Lord’s. The slope, the lack of movement, and conditions that didn’t quite favour seamers exposed the other side of the red-ball grind. He couldn’t find the same rhythm, his lengths wavered, and the wickets dried up — returning with just a solitary scalp in the match.
It was a stark contrast, but also a necessary one. Because in the long run, these are the lessons that shape a Test bowler. Akash must now learn to trust his process, not let a rough outing dent his confidence, and continue evolving — especially with the old ball, where he still lacks control and consistency.
The talent is unmistakable, the passion evident. What Akash Deep needs now is patience, perseverance, and the maturity to bowl smart, not just hard. If he can add the art of setting up batters late into the innings and master the nuances of the old ball, India may well have found their next red-ball warrior for the long haul.
Image source: X
