Deep impact: Debutant India pace bowler Akash Deep remembers dad

Ranchi, February 23

India pace bowler Akash Deep dedicated his splendid three-wicket burst on Test debut to his father who died in 2015, and said he is happy that he has achieved his dad’s dream of “becoming something in life”.

Akash Deep’s father Ramji Singh succumbed to paralysis and within six months, the cricketer lost his elder brother while being taken to a hospital in Varanasi.

“I thought I have to do something after I lost my dad and brother in one year. Then I stepped out to play cricket. I had nothing to lose and everything to win,” he said.

The 27-year-old bowled a dream opening spell. “I dedicate this to my father because it was his dream that his son does something in life. I couldn’t do anything when he was alive, so this performance is for my father. Every cricketer has one dream, to play for India in Tests,” said the Bengal pacer, who hails from Baddi village in Rohtas district of Bihar.

Akash Deep also said that Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the fourth Test, gave him advice on how to bowl in international cricket. “He told me one should bowl slightly back-of-a-length (deliveries) because batters tend to chase the ball,” he said.

Mother’s pride

Laduma Devi was busy overseeing the construction of their family house back in Baddi when she received a call from Akash Deep on Thursday, saying: “I’m making my Test debut for India tomorrow, you have to come”.

Hours later, after a gruelling 300km road journey, she was at Ranchi’s JSCA stadium, watching with pride and tears in her eyes as head coach Rahul Dravid handed the cap to the pacer. The shy but stoic woman was soaking it all in with Akash Deep’s two nieces and his cousin providing her support in the emotionally overwhelming moment. She and the family had been through hell and back but Akash Deep was finally making it all count.

“His father always wished for him to become a government officer, but cricket was his true passion, and I was his partner in crime. I would secretly send him to play cricket and help him pursue his dream,” she said. “During that time, if someone heard that your son was playing cricket, they would say he would be good for nothing. But we had faith in him and didn’t let him give up despite losing my husband and son in six months.”