Watching India lift the World Cup intrigued me to take up cricket: Akash Deep

Akash Deep has been a crucial part of the RCB attack in IPL 2022 and has returned handsome figures. He has claimed five wickets already, three of which came against the Knights despite an expensive outing. He came out in finer colours against the Mumbai Indians as he gave away just 20 runs from his quota of 4 overs that also saw him claiming the all-important scalp of Ishaan Kishan.

He recently opened up on the latest episode of RCB Bold Diaries where he spoke at length about his cricketing journey and how he transformed from being a net-bowler to a driving force in the RCB bowling line-up.

He got a bit emotional while talking about his early cricketing days and his family. He said, “My father was a high school teacher. Growing up in Sasaram, there was no cricket in that part of the country. In fact, being honest, there was no cricketer from the state at all. Especially the area that I come from, cricket felt like a luxury and my parents were also not supportive of me taking up the game.”

He further added, “My father was a teacher as I have said earlier and by the time he was out for cricket, I would sneak out and practice the game. When my dad came to know that I play cricket, he passed his verdict saying that I won’t be able to do anything in my career. He was not entirely wrong, actually. Whichever kid from that region tried his hand at cricket, they came back unsuccessful. That is why he told me not to play the game.”

Akash Deep then shifted his focus to that very moment that completely changed his narrative of the sport. "It was the final of the 2007 T20 world cup where India was playing Pakistan. That is the time when the entire village came together and rented a generator only to watch the game because there was no current in the village too. The funding was raised from the entire village and a small TV played host to the deluge of spectators pouring in to catch live action of the two fiercest rivals,” he revealed.

He concluded by saying, “I was intrigued that what exactly is this that everyone is so hyped up about. After India lifted the trophy, the passion, the emotions and the feelings that people had in them, that is what made me realize that I need to choose this game as my profession. That World Cup lifting moment for India was what stirred the interest in me.”