Fast bowler Akash Deep is set to make his comeback in the Irani Cup fixture for Rest of India against Jammu & Kashmir, after spending seven months on the sidelines due to a stress fracture in his lower back.
The 29‑year‑old pacer, who famously claimed a match haul of 10 for 187 against England at Edgbaston in 2025, has endured a life filled with challenges. His early years were marked by hardship — leaving his home in Bihar as a teenager to seek work in West Bengal, losing his father and elder brother in 2015, and coping with his sister’s battle against cancer even while delivering match‑winning performances for India.
When doctors confirmed his injury in March this year, Akash Deep refused to panic. “I’ve faced many curveballs in life, this was just another one,” he said, reflecting on the resilience that has defined his journey.
Now, as he prepares to return to competitive cricket, Deep counts his blessings and sees the setback as a lesson in patience and perseverance. His comeback is being closely watched, with fans hopeful he can once again spearhead India’s pace attack.
