After seven months away, Akash Deep's 'ubad-khabad' journey reaches comeback point | Exclusive Interview

Bengaluru: "Chai ya coffee kuch lenge aap (Will you have tea or coffee?)," says Akash Deep while adjusting his chair in the hotel lobby. "Saat mahine se cricket nahi khela ab finally khelunga(I have not played competitive cricket for the past seven months, now I will play)," he says, grinning from ear to ear before settling into a comfortable position.Akash Deep is happy, and there are multiple reasons. First, he has received the Right to Play (RTP) from the Centre of Excellence (CoE) and is ready to make a comeback after a long injury layoff. Second, he can't wait to check out of the hotel in Bengaluru, which has been his home for the past seven months.The 29-year-old has been included in the 15-member Rest of India squad, led by Rishabh Pant, which will take on 2025-26 Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup match, starting from October 1 in Srinagar. The last time Akash Deep was in action was during the Ranji Trophy semifinal for Bengal, where they lost to the eventual champions, Jammu and Kashmir, by six wickets. It was during this match that Akash Deep suffered a lower-back stress fracture."I played that match with a 102 fever. It was my call and when it comes to playing for Bengal, I don't think twice. That state has given me so much. Whatever I am is because of Cricket Association Bengal (CAB). Even in the future, if I have to take a risk for Bengal to have a chance to win the Ranji Trophy, I will not think twice before taking it," says Akash.He smiles when asked about the risk of pushing himself at the end of the season, where he played every single game for the state across formats. The layoff turned out to be longer than he would have liked as it also ruled him out of the IPL 2026. Was it worth it?"Humare jaison ko har mauke pe khud ko saabit karna hota (For cricketers like us, we need to prove our credentials in every chance we get). It is easy to say, oh, I could have skipped that match... The workload was high, but it was a Ranji Trophy semifinal and there was a chance for us to lift that trophy. I know the injury gave a dent to my wallet as I missed out on the IPL, missed international cricket, but for me, I saw an opportunity where I had the chance to do something special on a bigger stage," he explains.The long layoff was frustrating but he chooses to focus on the brighter side and even during the difficult days, the opportunity to spend time with his family gave him happy memories. And the icing on the cake was sister's recovery from cancer."Spending weeks in the hotel rooms is not ideal. It is tough. But for me, these six months have been fruitful as well. My elder sister recovered from cancer. I got married, got appointed as Deputy Superintendent of Police by the Bihar government and, most importantly, got married," he laughs.Behind all the giggles, laughter and excitement of making a comeback lies a painful chapter in Akash's life. He has endured rejection, contemplated quitting cricket, lost his father and elder brother, searched for an oxygen cylinder for his mother during the Covid-19 pandemic and even learned to drive a truck to make ends meet.Yet, when he speaks about the darkest phase of his life, it is none of these moments that he recalls. His sister Akhand Jyoti Singh's cancer diagnosis broke him.There was a time I thought of quitting cricket. She kept me going and when she was diagnosed with cancer, I was shattered"She was the one who had forced me to pursue cricket. There was a time I thought of quitting cricket. She kept me going and when she was diagnosed with cancer, I was shattered. I was pleading with God, please not her. I have lost my father, my brother, how much more will God take from me? What would I do with all the money and fame if I won't have people to enjoy those with?" he says."Luckily, I was playing for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL. Every day, after completing the training, I used to rush to the hospital and come back around 2:30 am, and on the match day, I used to go to the hospital straight after the match and come back in the morning. I was not eating properly. I was not training properly. I had no focus on my cricket. Then there were travels in the IPL. I was scared that I might lose her," he adds.Post IPL, Akash Deep went to England, where his heroics at Edgbaston helped India win the Test. "She was going through chemotherapy. I was again all over the place. She told me to play for her and that's why I dedicated my match-winning performance to her," he recollects.Recovery from injuryAkash praises the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) for helping him regain complete match fitness. The crafty seamer dismissed the criticism surrounding the CoE and its injury management."I am here for so many months now and I never faced any issue. There was a clear plan given to me and I have recovered following the instructions given by the CoE. It is a world-class facility. I have played cricket in other countries as well, but I must say when it comes to infrastructure, CoE is way ahead," he says."Aap mujhe ek baat batao, agar aapne sharaab pi kar apni liver kharab kar li hai toh kya usme doctor responsible hai (Let me ask you something: if you have damaged your liver by drinking alcohol, is the doctor responsible for that?). We should have a CoE-like facility in every state of India," he adds.Fit again, Akash knows the road won't be easy for him. He will have to toil again to regain his place in the Indian team. There is pressure, but his body's readiness and the excitement to regain his spot give him the feeling of a kid in a candy shop."I will have to perform well in the Irani Trophy first. Then, if picked, I need to do well for India A. Yes, I want to make a comeback in the Indian team and it won't be that easy. But I am ready for the grind," he says.Over the years, Akash has navigated trials, tribulations, fame and accolades, his journey has been as unpredictable as the road he grew up near. He describes it in his own words: "Apne gaon ki sadak jaisi journey rahi hai bilkul, ubad-khabad" (My journey has been like the road in my village, topsy-turvy).He hails from Sasaram, a place steeped in history, where Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri defeated Mughal emperor Humayun at the Battle of Chausa in 1539. It was during Sher Shah Suri's reign that the Grand Trunk Road, also known as the Sher Shah Suri Road, was built. And perhaps there is something fitting about that: Akash Deep's journey, much like the GT Road that runs through India, has been rough, winding and uneven, but it has carried him a long way.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.