Akash Deep EXCLUSIVE: The Untold Story - 'Lived in a Hell Hole, Ran Up The Mountain To Train'

Akash Deep started his budding cricket career with Bengal under the tutelage of Arun Lal. (Source: Akashdeep/Instagram)

Akash Deep, the 28-year-old who picked up a ten-wicket haul in his first test in England, has quite a story to tell, and his journey from a jungle-clad hill in rural Bihar to becoming India's hero at Edgbaston is not just inspiring but cinematic. In an exclusive conversation with Sports Now, former Bengal coach Arun Lal recalled the tale of grit and sheer determination that shaped Akash Deep into the cricketer he is today.

"I was part of the Bengal team, and Akash was amongst the probables. When I saw him, I thought he was absolute gold. There's no question about it," Arun Lal said, recalling the early signs of an exceptional talent.

"He had pace, he had stamina, he had strength, and most important thing I found in this young man was that he never complained about anything."

Akash shot to prominence when he played a crucial part in Bengal's famous run in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy, helping his team finish runners-up. But behind the on-field numbers lies a tale of ultimate sacrifice and survival.

"He used to live in this dormitory of CAB, which was a hellhole. Now, I'm sure it's better, but he never once said that, you know, sir, that you should put the food there or the food is not, you know, in the canteen, and I am having this problem," Lal revealed.

"Not once did I hear any complaint in three years, four years. It was unbelievable," he added.

The former India opener didn't hold back while describing the conditions Akash endured: "I was aghast when I went and saw the dormitory. You know, it was unbearable. It was a bloody hellhole. I thought people would die of disease there."

The 69-year-old also highlighted Akash's raw physical and mental strength, labelling him "stronger than all the others" during his coaching stint. But what caught Lal's admiration was the rigorous and challenging grind that the Bengal speedster put himself through.

"He was always a strong lad, much stronger than all his peers in the Bengal team, and he still is. His work ethic is beyond belief. He would send me videos of himself in his village running up the hill. There's a mountain near his village. He would run up and down for training on it, and the area was surrounded by just jungle. So, he would do things like that, to train when he was in his village."

These aren't just stories of resilience, they're testaments to ambition.

"And these are the stories, you know, these guys who come from such humble beginnings, from a village in deep Bihar and forsake their family and everybody else to come here and pursue a dream, playing club cricket. Credit should go to the CAB and Bengal Ranji team for their mindset and for having an eye for exceptional talent."

Lal believes that Akash Deep's best is yet to come.

"Also, I felt, you know, that his graph is yet to move. It's pointing up, but he's got so much more fuel in the tank than has been evident so far.

"I always felt that he's going to improve, and I still feel that people haven't seen the best of Akash Deep. He's now bowling line and length very cleverly; he's matured a lot, but he's got a lot more pace in him and a lot more wicket-taking ability, breaking partnerships. That will come when he gets his confidence. Once he starts believing, then you'll see how ferocious he can be."

Akash Deep celebrates the dismissal of England's Harry Brook on day five of the second cricket test match between England and India at Edgbaston. Photo : AP

Confidence, Lal insists, was the only missing piece.

"Back in the day, one area that he needed to work on was his self-confidence. He didn't believe how good he was, but we all tried very hard, including the coaching staff, his friends, and everybody. So, I'm so, so happy to see him mature to where he is."

Lal concluded with a nod to Akash's symbolic takeover from a Bengal legend: "The way he's performing is unbelievable, but not many will know that he came in place of a legend of Bengal cricket, Ashok Dinda. Back then, Dinda was one of the stalwarts of Bengal cricket, and he made way for Akash Deep, and if Dinda hadn't, you know, gone out of the equation, there would be no Akash Deep. So, he came and was sensational for Bengal, justifying his selection.

Akash Deep's story is not just one of success, but it is a lesson in silent endurance and unshakable belief.

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