By Manvindar Singh 
Akash Deep’s Meteoric Rise: From Grit to Glory in Indian Cricket
On 15th December 1996, in a modest village near Sasaram, Bihar, a child was born to a schoolteacher named Ramji Singh. That boy, Akash Deep, would one day wear the Indian jersey. But his path was carved not through privilege or infrastructure—it was forged in hardship, grief, and unshakable resolve.
Growing up, Akash had no access to academies or proper cricketing facilities. Just tennis ball cricket in the narrow lanes of Bihar. From the start, he was a bowler, single-minded and fearless. By the time he turned ten, whispers had started: “He could play for India.” But in a state lacking structure, dreams often fade.
At 14, he moved to West Bengal chasing opportunity—but life had other plans. His father suffered paralysis, pulling Akash back home. Then, in 2015, tragedy struck again. His father passed away. His elder brother stepped in, encouraging him to keep playing. But six months later, even his brother was gone.
Survival Took Priority
Suddenly the only earning member of his family, Akash left cricket behind. Between 2015 and 2018, he did manual labor, earning ₹100–150 per day, hauling sand with bare hands and no safety gear.
No nets.
No crowds.
No dreams.
Only survival.
His cricketing dreams faded from view. But destiny had one more chapter.
A Comeback Born of Courage
Thanks to a persistent cousin, Akash returned to Bengal, playing tennis ball tournaments for prize money. He finally joined United Club, and the grind restarted. His living conditions were dire—coach Arun Lal called them “unbearable.” Yet Akash never once complained. He was known for one thing: mental toughness.
His reverse swing caught eyes. His effort earned him a place in Sourav Ganguly’s Vision 2020—a program to groom Bengal’s best young talents.
From there, his ascent was rapid. He joined Bengal’s U23 squad and then the senior Ranji team. In one season alone, he took 42 wickets, cementing his reputation as a rising pacer.
From Net Bowler to IPL Breakthrough
In 2021, RCB picked Akash as a net bowler. He impressed the likes of Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell. By 2022, he was signed officially for ₹20 lakh. Against KKR, he claimed three major scalps—Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, and Umesh Yadav—a signal that the miracle had begun.
The India Call-Up and Emotional Debut
When Jasprit Bumrah was rested in the 2024 England Test series, Akash Deep got his golden chance. He debuted in Ranchi. From ₹100-a-day labor to the Indian Test cap—his mother wept in the stands.
And he delivered. He dismissed top English batters—Duckett, Pope, and Crawley—on debut.
But just before his England tour in 2025, tragedy revisited. His sister was diagnosed with cancer. Akash kept it private, choosing to focus. In a show of sheer character, he took 10 wickets in a Test match at Lord’s—4 in the first innings and 6 in the second, including Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ben Duckett, all bowled.
He became the first Indian pacer in 21 years to achieve this feat in England.
A Story of Grit Beyond Cricket
Akash Deep’s story is more than cricket. It’s about belief in the face of despair. It’s about the fire that keeps burning when the world says it’s over.
From loading sand to lifting national hopes, he proved that circumstances are temporary, but willpower is forever.