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Akash Deep's sister reveals message to pacer before Edgbaston heroics: 'Don't worry about me, just...'
An emotional Akash Deep had dedicated his match-winning 10-wicket haul in the second Test against England at Edgbaston to his elder sister, revealing in a post-match interview on Sunday that she has been suffering from cancer and adding that he hoped to make her smile with his exceptional performance.
Akash's sister Akhand Jyoti Singh, however, revealed that she spoke to the pacer before the start of the England tour, which got underway at Headingley on 20 June, and told him not to worry about her health and to focus on the game. She also lauded her brother for bringing joy to the entire family as well as the nation.
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'It is a matter of pride for India - he has taken 10 wickets. Before the England tour, we went to meet him at the airport. I told him, 'I'm absolutely fine, don't worry about me, just do well for the country.' I am in the third stage (of cancer), and the doctor has said the treatment will go on for six more months, after which we'll see,' Jyoti told India Today.
'It makes me very happy when Akash takes wickets. Whenever he gets a wicket, all of us start clapping and cheering so loudly that the neighbours in the colony ask what has happened!' she added.
'He was the one who motivated me the most'
Jyoti further revealed how Akash made it a point to visit her in hospital during the Indian Premier League despite his hectic schedule with the Lucknow Super Giants, while adding that he was the main source of inspiration for her.
'When the IPL was going on and he was playing for the Lucknow team, I was admitted to the hospital for cancer treatment. Even then, he would come meet me either before or after the matches,' Jyoti continued.
'During my cancer treatment, he was the one who motivated me the most. I would tell him not to worry, that I have my husband with me, but he would always say, 'Everything I have is for my sisters and my family.' We are three brothers and three sisters - one of them has passed away. Akash is the youngest,' she said.
'Before and after every match, he makes sure to call home on video. He told me, 'I did all this for you and for the country. I took those wickets for you,' she added.
Akash was drafted into India's playing XI in place of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the Edgbaston Test due to workload management in the aftermath of his recent back injury. The Bengal pacer, who originally hails from Bihar's Sasaram, ended up forming quite the lethal new-ball pair with Mohammed Siraj, who led the Indian attack in Bumrah's absence.
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Also Read | Gill hails 'magnificent' Akash after historic win at Edgbaston: 'Bowled with so much heart'
Siraj (6/70) and Akash (4/88) shared all 10 wickets between them to help India bowl England out for 407 and collect a massive 180-run first innings lead. Akash would produce an even better performance during the Ben Stokes-led hosts' chase of the mammoth 608-run target set by India, collecting his maiden five-for (6/99) and finishing with 10/187.
India, as a result, bundled England out for 271 and leveled the five-Test series 1-1 with a thumping 336-run victory.
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