Indian speedster Akash Deep delivered a heroic performance at Edgbaston. He picked up four wickets in the first innings and followed it up with a six-wicket haul in the second, finishing with match figures 10/187. Behind the emotional celebration stood his sister, Akhand Jyoti Singh, who is currently battling cancer. Overcome with emotion, she shared how deeply touched she was by her brother’s gesture of dedicating his match-winning performance against England to her.
Speaking to Aajtak, Jyoti recalled how she had spoken to Akash before the England tour, urging him not to worry about her condition but to give his all for the nation. Despite undergoing treatment for third-stage cancer, Jyoti expressed how immensely proud and overjoyed the family felt watching Akash shine during such a challenging time. His sister unveiled that she was on the third stage of cancer and she required six more months for her treatment.
“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,” she shared in an exclusive interview.
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She described how every wicket Akash took led to cheers and loud applause back home, so much so that their neighbours were startled.
“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 laughed, her pride and joy shining through.
Jyoti revealed that her illness had not been public knowledge, and she was initially unaware that Akash had spoken about it on global television. His emotional dedication of his first 10-wicket haul in Test cricket to her came as a surprise.
“I had no idea Akash would say something like that. Maybe we weren’t ready to talk about it publicly, but the way he became emotional and said it for me, dedicating it to me, it’s a big deal. It shows how much he loves our family and me. Given the situation at home, and still performing like that and taking wickets there, it’s a huge thing. I’m the one he is closest to,” she said with heartfelt emotion.
Even during the Indian Premier League (IPL), when Akash was representing Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), he never missed a chance to visit his sister, who was then hospitalised for her cancer treatment. Jyoti fondly remembered how, despite his busy schedule, he would find time to be by her side.
“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,” she recalled.
What Akash told his sister after Edgbaston 10-fer
After India’s historic win at Edgbaston, Jyoti broke down during a video call with Akash.
“After the match ended, we spoke twice over video call, and again at 5 AM in the morning. Akash told me, ‘Don’t worry, the whole country is with us.’ He said, ‘I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I had been trying to, but yesterday I just couldn’t stop myself.’”
She went on to describe the deep bond she shares with Akash.
“Such a brother is rare. He helps us a lot and doesn’t do anything without talking to us. He shares everything with the family. Since our father and eldest brother are no longer with us, he is the one now managing the whole household,” she added, her voice filled with gratitude and admiration.
Before signing off, Jyoti shared her desire to welcome her brother.
“When Akash used to come home, I would take food for him. When he comes again, I’ll cook whatever he asks for. He loves dahi vada made by me, and he really likes green vegetables. Whenever he comes home, he asks me to make those,” Jyoti said.
Deep's rare feat
Deep became the second Indian bowler to register a 10-wicket haul in Edgbaston Test. He is expected to retain his place in the lineup for the third Test of the series at Lord's, London, starting on July 10.