India cricket team vice-captain Rishabh Pant praised teammates Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep for their performances in the historic victory at Edgbaston. Siraj’s fifer and Akash Deep’s 6-fer were the guiding forces for Shubman Gill & co’s 336-run victory in ENG vs IND 2nd Test. An emotional Akash Deep had dedicated his record figures to his sister who had battled cancer.
“Keep it personal”
Ahead of the IND vs ENG 3rd Test at Lord’s, Pant was asked about Akash’s contribution in the previous game and his importance. To this, the vice-captain heaped praise on Siraj and Deep for their major role in India getting 20 wickets in the absence of Bumrah. Asked about Akash Deep’s sister, Pant said that he had known since the IPL but chose to keep it personal.
“Jasprit Bumrah was not playing but Siraj and Akash Deep stood up. I knew since the IPL (On Akash’s dealing with sister’s cancer), but more you keep it personal, the better that way,” Pant said.
Battling stage 3 intestine cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, his sister Jyoti was taken by surprise when his brother dedicated the Edgbaston Test to her.
“I wasn’t expecting him to speak about me,” Jyoti told Mid-day, “but when he said this [achievement] was for me, I felt so good. This is his biggest achievement. And this came at a time when I truly needed something to hold on to.”
Akash Deep made an impactful comeback to the Indian side, finishing the 2nd Test with record breaking figures. He became the Indian pacer with best figures in England with his ten-wicket haul in Birmingham. It included a four-wicket haul in the 1st innings followed by a six-wicket-haul in the 2nd.
“I haven’t told anyone yet. My elder sister has been suffering from cancer for the last 2 months. Right now, she’s stable and fine. I think she’ll be the happiest because she’s been through it mentally for the last 2 months. I was playing this match as a dedication to her. I want to see happiness on her face through this match,” Akash told JioStar after the match.
