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"How Will I Survive?": Akash Deep Recalls Braving England Series Amid Personal Turmoil

Aakash Saini

Akash Deep during ENG tour [Source: AFP]Akash Deep during ENG tour [Source: AFP]

Akash Deep played three Tests in the recently-concluded five-match series in England. Making his return to the Indian team, the speedster played two of those matches, the ones in Birmingham and at The Oval as a replacement for premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

Deep’s call-up reaped rich dividends for the Indian team, as the 28-year-old bowled his heart out in Birmingham to deliver match figures of 10-187 to set up India’s comprehensive 336-run victory. Moreover, the fast bowler picked up a couple of wickets in the series decider in London, where he also punched out a match-defining half-century as India won a Day 5 thriller by six runs.

Akash Deep Recalls Pre-England Series Mindset

In a recent interview as quoted by ESPNCricinfo, Indian paceman Akash Deep revealed that he often wondered how he would “survive a five-match Test series” in England as a fast bowler. The cricketer also recalled his personal struggles at the time.

“How do I survive five Tests? It was tough. As such, a five-Test series is not easy. Especially if you're a fast bowler. And at a time when I had to prepare, I was dealing with a lot of things. Being in and out of hospital, your diet and sleep often go for a toss.”

Akash Deep further claimed that being in and out of the hospital ruined his diet and sleep, and even his training went “haywire” during this year’s IPL 2025 season. He said:

“I was actually wondering how do I survive five Tests because even during the IPL because of my sister's treatment, my training was haywire for one, one-and-a-half months. Luckily, I got time in the lead-up to the series thanks to the India A tour, where I had 10-15 days of preparation. I used that time to prepare well.”

Compatible to Akash Deep’s IPL claims, the speedster managed to play just six matches this season, claiming just three wickets in the process at an expensive bowling average of 76.33.

However, the 28-year-old surely turned the tide in his comeback Test series for India, starring with both bat and ball as Shubman Gill’s troops managed to draw level with hosts England in what became his true baptism of fire.