Clouds gathered over Birmingham that day, and a light rain delayed the start of the final day’s play. But once the game began, Akash Deep bowled brilliantly, guiding India to a memorable win with a ten-wicket haul. Yet behind that smiling young man’s face lies a dark storm: the shadow of cancer.
Two months ago, his sister was diagnosed with cancer. The whole family is fighting this crisis together. Among six siblings, Akash—the youngest—has taken on the role of the family’s pillar. Alongside his battles on the cricket field, he fights an even tougher battle at home. The 28-year-old pace bowler had kept this secret until after his match-winning performance, when he opened up about his sister’s illness.
Shubman Gill’s superhuman batting earned him the Man of the Match award, but without Akash’s excellent bowling, India might not have won. On a pitch helpful to batsmen, Akash took four wickets in the first innings and an outstanding six wickets in the second.
His 10 wickets for 187 runs marked the best bowling performance by any Indian in Tests on English soil, surpassing Chetan Sharma’s 39-year-old record.
After the match, during a chat with fellow Indian cricketer and series commentator Cheteshwar Pujara on JioHotstar, Akash couldn’t hold back his emotions.
“I hadn’t told anyone until now. My elder sister has cancer. It was diagnosed about two months ago. She is stable now, getting better. She would be very happy with my performance. She has gone through so much mentally over the past two months…”
“I dedicate this performance to her. I just wanted to make her happy with my cricket.”
For Akash, fighting is a way of life. Born and raised in Bihar, his childhood cricket dreams were often met with his father’s scolding. With family struggles and little support, cricket seemed a distant dream. At age 14, seeking work to support his family, he moved to Durgapur, West Bengal, where relatives helped him join a local cricket academy. Playing for small clubs, he sent whatever little earnings home.
But tragedy struck the family. Akash’s father suffered a stroke and was left paralyzed before passing away. Shortly after, his elder brother caught a cold that rapidly worsened. With limited access to treatment, the brother passed away too.
These events, just eight years ago, forced Akash to set aside his cricket dreams to fight for survival. He was away from the game for about three years.
Eventually, his passion revived. He moved to Kolkata to pursue cricket seriously, playing second-division cricket for United Club under the Cricket Association of Bengal. He quickly caught attention, making the Bengal Under-23 team and the Ranji Trophy squad.
Fortune smiled when he came under the guidance of Mohammad Shami, from whom he learned much about bowling and fitness. Akash transformed into a lethal swing bowler, earning a place in India’s domestic circuit and finally breaking into the Test side.
In February last year, he made his Test debut in Ranchi, claiming three wickets against England’s top order.
Since then, he’s been a regular in the Test squad, bowling well but often unlucky not to get standout figures. In seven Tests before this match, he had taken 15 wickets.
Finally, at Edgbaston, he earned his due. On a batting-friendly pitch, he bowled with life and skill, delivering a match-winning spell that won praise worldwide.
But all the while, his thoughts were with his sister. After the match, in conversation with Pujara, he sent a heartfelt message to her.
“Sis, this is for you. Every time I took the ball, I thought of you. Your face kept coming to mind. I just wanted to make you happy. We are all with you.”
After Akash revealed his sister’s condition, media attention also turned to her. Akhand Jyoti Singh spoke emotionally in an interview.
“I didn’t know Akash had said all this. We probably weren’t ready to talk about it publicly. But the way he got emotional and dedicated this to me… it means a lot.”
“It shows how much he loves me and the whole family. Despite everything at home, he’s out there performing and taking wickets—that’s huge. I am closest to him in the family.”
Akhand shared that Akash regularly calls her and the family.
“We spoke twice on video call after the match, and once again at 5 a.m. He told me, ‘Don’t worry, the whole country is with you.’ He said, ‘I couldn’t keep it inside anymore. I tried, but yesterday I just couldn’t hold back.’”
“Before and after every match, he calls home. After the match, he said, ‘This performance is for you and for the country. I took these wickets for you.’”
Akhand revealed that Akash accompanied her to the hospital during the IPL and has been a pillar of support.
“It’s rare to have a brother like him. He’s always by our side, shares everything with the family. Since our father and elder brother are no longer with us, Akash is handling everything at home.”
“My cancer treatment was a tough time, but Akash was my biggest source of strength. I kept telling him, ‘Don’t worry, my husband is with me,’ but he kept saying, ‘Everything I do is for my sister and family.’ We are three brothers and three sisters. One has passed away, and Akash is the youngest.”
That youngest brother has grown into the family’s pillar—and now a key player for India. After his bowling at Edgbaston, many believe his swing bowling will be even more effective at Lord’s, where he will likely form a potent partnership with Jasprit Bumrah.
After two matches in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the series is tied 1-1. The Lord’s Test begins this Thursday.
