India head coach Rahul Dravid, in a heartfelt speech that resonated with emotion and pride, took a moment to highlight the remarkable journey of debutant Akash Deep ahead of the Ranchi Test. Akash Deep (3/24) made his Test debut in place of rested pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and dismissed Ben Duckett (11), Ollie Pope (0), and Zak Crawley (42) in a dream debut spell to leave England reeling in the morning session.
Standing amidst the huddle in Ranchi, Dravid recounted Akash journey from his humble beginnings in Baddi, a small town roughly 200 kilometers away from Ranchi, to the very ground where he was about to make his debut for the national team. “Akash, your journey started from a place named Baddi, which is roughly 200 km away from here (Ranchi). You have faced a lot of hardships in this journey. You have worked hard. You have seen a lot of ups and downs,” Rahul Dravid said.
Dravid spoke of Akash’s resilience and determination, noting how the young cricketer had faced numerous challenges and adversities along the way. Akash’s journey was marked by significant personal losses, including the untimely demise of his father and elder brother, events that could have derailed many from their dreams. Yet, Akash’s resolve only strengthened. Driven by the inspiration of the 2007 T20 World Cup, he moved from Baddi to Delhi, and then to Kolkata, in pursuit of his cricketing dreams, showcasing his talent and dedication at every step.
“You, on your own, moved from Baddi to Delhi to play cricket. You were inspired by the 2007 T20 World Cup. You stayed in Delhi and put in the effort. Then, you moved to Kolkata from Delhi. You played domestic cricket and put in inspiring performances. Your journey has taken you to Ranchi, which is 200kms from your home and you are going to get your India cap here (today),” Dravid added.
