Rahul Dravid was visibly emotional while narrating the Akash Deep’s journey and hardship before presenting him with the Test cap on the opening day of the fourth Test match in Ranchi.
Making his Test debut in place of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested, the 27-year-old Akash Deep (3/24) recovered from a no-ball setback to dismiss Ben Duckett (11), Ollie Pope (0) and Zak Crawley (42) and had left England reeling.
In a video posted by BCCI.tv, Dravid told Akash Deep: “Akash your journey started from a place named Baddi, which is roughly 200 km from here. You have faced a lot of hardhsips in this journey. You have worked hard. You have seen a lots of ups and downs.”
Words that inspire 🗣️ ft. Rahul Dravid
Dreams that come true 🥹
A debut vision like never seen before 🎥
Akash Deep – What a story 📝#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/vSOSmgECfC
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 23, 2024
“You on your own, moved from Baddi to Delhi to play cricket. You were inspired by the 2007 T20 World Cup win. You stayed alone in Delhi and put in the efforts. Then you moved to Kolkata from Delhi.
“You played domestic cricket and put up impressive performances. Your journey has taken you to Ranchi, which is 200km closer to your village and you are going to get your India cap here today.
“It is a special feeling for you as your mother is also here along with some of your family members. It is unfortunate that your father and elder brother are no more. But we are sure that they are blessing you from wherever they are.
“Our entire team is wishing you. Please enjoy this moment and this match. You have worked hard to reach here this has been your dream. We are happy that we are here with you to fulfill this dream. Enjoy this five days and your entire career. With great joy, I present to you India Test Cap No, 313.”
Akash Deep, who has made a dream debut said: “It was my dream to play Test cricket for India and I am happy that I am fulfilling that dream somewhere close to my village. I am delighted that my family is here and nothing can get bigger than this. At the same time it’s a big responsibility. It’s an important match, so I am focusing more on that.”
Akash Deep, who hails from Sasaram, Bihar has first lost his father in 2015 and, six months later, his elder brother. Both of them failed to reach the hospital in time when they needed urgent medical attention. Years later, during the vicious second Covid wave, while he was in the Indian Premier League bubble, he lost his aunt and sister-in-law while almost losing his mother.
His mother, who present during the ceremony said: “Bahut acha lag raha hai, vyakt nahi kar sakte hai (It’s a greet feeling. I can’t explain it in words).”