Fast bowler Akash Deep dedicated his match-winning performance in the 2nd Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against Enlgand in Birmingham to his elder sister, revealing she has been battling with cancer over the last two months. In an emotional post-match chat with broadcasters, Akash said he wanted to put a smile on her face and he was reminded of her struggles everytime he had the ball in his hand.

Akash Deep played a crucial role in India’s 336-run victory as the visitors hammered England, handing them their biggest defeat in the Bazball era at home. Akash took 10 wickets, including a six-wicket haul in the second innings, becoming only the second Indian bowler after Chetan Sharma to achieve a 10-wicket match haul in a Test match in England.

“I have not told this to anyone. My elder sister has been suffering with cancer for the last two months. She is now stable, she is fine. I think she will be the happiest (seeing my performance). I want to dedicate this match to her. I wanted to see a smile on her face,” Akash Deep said.

“This is for you. Whenever I held the ball in my hand, your face was in my mind. I want to see happiness in your face. We are all with you,” he said, sending a message to her sister.

More to follow.

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