Sanjay Manjrekar, former cricketer-turned-commentator, has raised concerns about India’s seam bowlers struggling with fitness. As India trails 1-2 in the ongoing five-match series against England, injuries have weakened the team’s…
India prepares for the 4th Test against England, but injury concerns have affected their training. Key players like Akash Deep and Rishabh Pant face fitness tests. As the Indian squad…
Akash Deep was born on 15 December 1996 in Dehri, Rohtas, Bihar. Later, he moved to Kolkata to pursue cricket, as Bihar offered limited opportunities. His father, Ramji Singh, worked as a school teacher in Sasaram.
To follow his cricketing dream, Akash transitioned from batting to fast bowling. He trained under coaches, including former Bengal pacer Ranadeb Bose, who helped him harness his height and seam potential. Moreover, he joined United Club in the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) league. There, he overcame early injuries, which laid the foundation for his cricketing career.
Growing up in a modest household, Akash faced not only geographical but also financial hardships. To fund his training, he played tennis-ball cricket for a daily wage of ₹600. That income supported his coaching and basic equipment needs. These early life experiences shaped his hunger for success and mental toughness.
Eventually, Kolkata offered him a nurturing cricket environment. It enabled him to refine his bowling skills and compete at higher levels. His journey from street cricket to league tournaments built a strong base. Consequently, Akash’s resilience and self-belief became key aspects of his personality, on and off the field.
Akash Deep is a right-arm fast-medium bowler. He is known for sharp seam movement, consistent control, and useful lower-order batting contributions. Over time, he enhanced his stamina and pace, taking inspiration from senior bowlers like Mohammed Shami.
Initially bowling in the mid-130s km/h, he gradually pushed his speed into the high-140s. His disciplined training and commitment to fitness played a vital role in this transformation. Additionally, Akash maintains a strong work ethic, which coaches and peers widely appreciate.
Off the field, he remains humble and grounded. He avoids excessive media attention and prefers to let his performances speak. His quiet confidence and sincerity distinguish him from many of his contemporaries. As a result, Akash is regarded as a disciplined and dependable athlete.
Akash comes from a humble family background. In 2015, tragedy struck when he lost both his father and elder brother within months. Consequently, he became the primary provider for his mother and two sisters at a young age.
He is currently unmarried and places high importance on family. In July 2025, after his memorable 10-wicket haul at Edgbaston, Akash dedicated his performance to his elder sister, Akhand Jyoti, who is battling stage-three colon cancer. His emotional message, “Behen, yeh tumhare liye hai,” resonated with fans and teammates alike.
Despite the emotional challenges, he continues to draw strength from his family’s resilience. He frequently expresses gratitude for their support and sacrifices. Whenever his schedule allows, Akash visits home to stay connected with his roots. His personal journey is a moving example of perseverance, love, and responsibility.
Akash earned his stripes in the CAB first-division league, particularly with United Club, earning INR 600 daily in tennis-ball games to support himself. He made his T20 debut for Bengal in March 2019 (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy), followed by his List A debut in September 2019 (Vijay Hazare) and first-class debut that December in the Ranji Trophy. He broke through in the 2019–20 Ranji season with 35 wickets, guiding Bengal to the final. His return from injury and strong performances, particularly an 11-wicket haul for India A vs England Lions, catapulted him into national view.
Akash earned his Test debut call-up in February 2024 during the home series vs England. He debuted on 23 February 2024 in Ranchi, capturing three wickets in the first session. He has since played 8 Test matches, taking 25 wickets at 28.60, including a historic 10-wicket haul (4/88 & 6/99) at Edgbaston, 2025 – best Test match figures for India in England.
His remarkable swing and seam control in overseas conditions earned praise from cricket legends and solidified his place in the Test squad. Analysts hailed his Edgbaston spell as a turning point for India’s fast bowling legacy abroad.
Akash debuted in the IPL in 2022 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (bought for ₹20 lakh) and claimed 10 wickets in 14 matches across three seasons . Ahead of IPL 2025, Lucknow Super Giants purchased him for ₹8 crore, signaling faith in his potential. In the 2025 season, he featured in 6 games, took 3 wickets at an economy rate of 12.05.
Despite early-career back issues, Akash rebounded under Sourasish Lahiri’s guidance. He then upgraded fitness—adding pace and strength with pad drills plus gym work alongside Shami . Emotional tribulations enveloped him during IPL 2025 as his sister battled cancer, yet he translated personal grief into peak on‑field performance, delivering the record-breaking Edgbaston haul.
