Watch: English fan sings a song for Akash Deep after Edgbaston Test heroics

India Today

7 hours ago

Young Indian pacer Akash Deep received a heartwarming musical tribute from English fans after emerging as the game-changer in the Edgbaston Test. The 28-year-old fast bowler returned with a stunning match haul of 10 wickets, playing a pivotal role in India's emphatic 336-run win in the second Test to level the five-match series 1-1.After helping India thrash England to bounce back in the series, Akash was treated to something truly unexpected - a song in his honour by an English fan outside the stadium. Set to the tune of Let It Be by The Beatles, the tribute was playful, catchy, and deeply symbolic. For a relatively new face in the Indian setup, being serenaded by a local fan on English soil spoke volumes - not just about his bowling, but also about the impression his story had left behind.advertisementEnglish crowds are known for their sporting songs, especially in football, where almost every star has a chant of their own. Cricket has its own version of that culture too, often driven by the ever-vocal Barmy Army. But it's rare for a visiting player - and a fast bowler at that - to be embraced with such affection, especially so early in his career. The Poms do have a sense of humour : 'Akash Deep Akash Deep Bowling England Out Akash Deep' (In Let It Be tune) pic.twitter.com/TpVZ5QrZaB— Sameer (@BesuraTaansane) July 6, 2025
After losing the series opener at Leeds from what seemed like an unlosable position, Gill-led India mounted a spirited comeback, built on the captain's record-breaking 430 runs across the two innings and the efforts of Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj, who made the new ball talk on a flat Edgbaston surface.In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, expectations of India's pace attack had been modest. But Siraj and Akash turned that perception on its head with match-turning spells in both innings.Sachin Tendulkar hailed Akash Deep as the "standout bowler" of the match and described his delivery to dismiss Joe Root in the second innings as the "ball of the series." Akash finished with figures of 6 for 99 in the second innings and a match-haul of 10 for 187, while Siraj picked up seven wickets across both innings to help power India to a memorable win.My sister has cancer: Emotional Akash DeepFollowing the match, Akash Deep shared a deeply emotional moment in a post-match interview with JioCinema. Speaking to Cheteshwar Pujara, he revealed that his elder sister had been diagnosed with cancer just two months ago—a detail he had kept to himself throughout the match."I haven't told anyone about this," he said, his voice heavy. "My elder sister is suffering from cancer. It was diagnosed two months ago. She's okay now, she's stable. She would be so happy with my performance. She's gone through so much mentally these past two months. I dedicate this to her.""I just wanted to give her some happiness through my performance," he added.advertisementWhen asked if he had a message for her, Akash replied:"Behen, yeh tumhare liye hai. (Sister, this is for you.) Every time I held the ball, your face came to mind. I just wanted to make you smile. We're all with you."On the field, Akash bowled with heart and hunger. In the final session of Day 4, he gave India the perfect start by removing Ben Duckett and Joe Root. He returned on the fifth morning and picked up right where he left off, dismissing overnight batters Ollie Pope and Harry Brook. On a lifeless pitch that offered little to the pacers, Akash made the ball talk - outbowling even England's much-fancied attack."It's all about staying in the present," he said after the game. "We batted, bowled, and fielded well - all three departments clicked. I think we should just enjoy this win at Edgbaston and live in the moment."- EndsYou May Also Like