If playing cricket is a crime, Akash is unapologetically guilty

There is a short but poignant video of Akash Deep's interview on RCB's YouTube channel -- a poor village boy battling societal restrictions, familial responsibilities and personal tragedies to achieve his stated goal. But Akash's is more than a mere rags-to-riches story. It's an inspirational tale -- one that changed rigid mindsets while giving wings to the aspirations of many young cricketers.       

It all began the night India became the inaugural T20 World Cup champions in 2007 -- a story that encapsulates the powerful impact of cricket in India, where the sport transcends boundaries and inspires dreams.

The 11-year-old boy, witnessing the passion and collective joy of his village, is moved by more than just the game; he is inspired by the possibility of achieving greatness through sport.

The tense finale, where India defeated Pakistan to lift the trophy, became a pivotal moment in his young life. Amidst the flickering light of the rented generator and the jubilant cheers, a spark was ignited within him -- a dream to perhaps one day don the Indian jersey.

"I saw the passion for the game and the love for the cricketers... That was the day when I dreamed of becoming an Indian cricketer," he says in the video.

The path to that destination was laden with a series of obstacles -- societal pressures, opposition from his father, limited infrastructure, and personal tragedies.

Hailing from an impoverished Sasaram, a town in Bihar, Akash couldn't take up cricket because his father, a high-school teacher, wouldn't allow him. So, when his father would be away at work, Akash would sneak into play at a cricket ground.

His father, when he got a whiff of it, was convinced that his son would be rendered worthless for he had seen more youngsters, who tried their hand at cricket and ended up becoming nothing, than he would care to remember.

If the opposition in the family and lack of infrastructure in his region came his way in the beginning, personal tragedies threatened to completely derail his aspirations.

Having moved to the neighbouring Bengal under the pretext of a job to give wings to his dreams, the 27-year-old had to return home after his father fell ill and eventually passed away. Not long after, his elder brother died in a bike accident leaving the family distraught and Akash heartbroken.

While he did muster the will and courage to give another shot at cricket, three precious years were lost in the process.

Even after losing three years of his prime and enduring such emotional setbacks, he found the means to rekindle his cricketing dreams. He moved to Bengal in pursuit of better opportunities, trying to balance familial responsibilities and personal ambition.

"When I began playing cricket, I never thought I would be giving an interview to you all one day in Australia," he said after India's practice session here on Sunday. "The place where I come from and the place I am in right now, (it's) because of (this transformation) children (in my region) are playing cricket and parents have begun to support their kids to play cricket. That makes me feel good and feel proud of myself. So many kids with so much talent wanted to play but couldn't because they didn't have their parents' support. Now there is a lot of support for those who want to pursue cricket."

The change is remarkable because, Akash reveals in the video, playing cricket was akin to committing a crime!    

While he may not end up in the record books alongside the biggest names, his contribution to breaking stereotypes and inspiring a new generation of cricketers in his village ensures his legacy. For many, greatness isn’t just about personal milestones but the ripple effects of their actions. And Akash appears to represent that kind of lasting impact.