'Secretly Sent Him to Play Cricket': Akash Deep's Mother Recalls Son's Journey to India Test Debut

India’s latest Test debutant Akash Deep was backed by his mother Laduma Devi in his cricket journey by becoming the pacer’s ‘partner in crime’.

Akash made his first appearance for India against England at the JSCA International Stadium on February 23 while delivering a stellar performance.

His mother is believed to be a strong figure of support in the cricketer’s successful journey towards cracking the national team.

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“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,” Laduma told news agency PTI.

Laduma further talked about how she had to battle through the criticism of her son for playing cricket. “During that time, if someone heard that your son was playing cricket they would say ‘yeh toh awara mawwali hi banega (he will not amount to anything),” Akash Deep’s mother said.

However, Laduma went on to add that she just couldn’t let her son give up on his dream. “We had faith in him and didn’t let him give up despite losing my malik (husband) and beta (son) in six months,” she said.

Akash Deep lost his father and brother in the same year and had decided to turn around his life by choosing to play cricket.

An emotional Akash Deep dedicated his debut performance to his father, putting up a stunning display against England. He did so while saying that it was his father’s dream to see him achieve something good in his life.

“It was a very emotional moment for me…I left my home to play cricket. Bengal supported me well, I got a good atmosphere. I played Ranji Trophy with them. My journey in cricket, my family has played a big role in it,” he told reporters.

Akash Deep had a superb start to life as India cricketer.

He scalped three wickets on the first morning of the 4th Test against England dismissing the likes of an in-form Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope.

Only Ravindra Jadeja had more wickets than Deep as the veteran all-rounder put away four towards the end. England were bowled out for 353 runs in their first innings.