Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy | Akash Deep: A back-up bowler good enough to be in the front-line

Birmingham: All through his life, Akash Deep has had to play the waiting game. Be it his ambition to become a cricketer, acceptance in his society about his career choice, stability as a professional, a happy family… the list can be long. No wonder the fast bowler knows how to grab an opportunity, like a bull by its horns, whenever it presents itself.

When the squad for the five-Test England series was announced in May, it was seemingly apparent that the Bihar-born Bengal cricketer would be a back-up for the trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Bumrah and Siraj are the undisputed leaders of the new-ball attack, while Prasidh has ascended to the elite following his return to full fitness and a great IPL where he won the Purple Cap for the highest wickets (25).

Akash would get a game only if Bumrah was rested as part of workload management or if either Siraj or Prasidh got injured. In fact, that’s been the pattern for the 28-year-old ever since he made his debut against England in Ranchi in February 2024, getting a cap only if the frontline options are unavailable.

Akash got the nod for the second Test at Edgbaston after Bumrah was rested. And like he has done often in his seven previous Tests, Akash showed he can be more than just a back-up. Having come up the system through sheer grind and grit, Akash made the ball talk as much as lead pacer Siraj. In fact, he created an impact as strong as Siraj, bagging 4/88 and stealing the spotlight from Prasidh, who went wicketless and turned out to be expensive for a third innings in succession.

While Siraj was the star with his stellar 6/70 show, it was Akash who provided those vital breakthroughs. In his opening spell on Thursday evening, he knocked out opener Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope off successive deliveries to give India a sizzling start. He then gave life to a deflated India who were put to the sword by Harry Brook (158) and Jamie Smith (184), the duo who forged a 303-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Armed with the second new ball in his hands, he produced a dream in-swinger that crashed through the defences of Brook, the opening India were desperately seeking. England just collapsed from there, losing their last five wickets for 20 runs with Akash being the chief instigator.

“I prepare for the chances I get,” said Akash after the day's play. “And whenever I get a chance, I want to make the most of it. There is no better opportunity than playing for the country. I don’t consider playing for the country as pressure. I feel it’s a responsibility and opportunity.”

It’s pretty much been Akash’s life mantra, making the most of whatever he gets. Born in Sasaram, a historical city in the Rotas district of Bihar with barely any sporting facilities, Akash was decried by his family and community for wanting to play cricket. He, in fact, was treated as an outcast. Around 2010, then 14-year-old Akash decided to pack his bags for Durgapur, West Bengal, to give wings to his cricketing dreams. Just when he was getting a grip of things at an academy with help from his uncle, his father and elder brother passed away in a short space of time, which forced him to abandon his cricketing dreams and run a large family.

After three years away from the sport, he once again returned to Kolkata to give cricket one last shot. He struggled for one meal a day but just kept slogging and slogging before being spotted by Bengal player Manoj Tiwary at a club game. He got picked for the Cricket Association of Bengal’s Vision 2020 programme, where he was groomed thoroughly before making his first-class debut in 2019. He shone there, shone in his debut Test, and in Birmingham too. Carpe diem!