An unheralded Akash Deep from Sasaram, Bihar, took the spotlight in the absence of the iconic Jasprit Bumrah as Shubman Gill’s young India broke a 58-year-old ‘Edgbaston Jinx,’ defeating England by 336 runs to level the five-Test series 1-1. The 28-year-old Akash Deep claimed a match haul of 10 wickets, including his maiden five-for with figures of 6/99 in England’s second innings, where the hosts were all out for 271, chasing an improbable 608. While Gill’s magnificent batting (269 and 161) set the stage, Akash’s lion-hearted effort on a bowler-unfriendly track deserves equal credit. Rain delayed the day’s start by an hour and 40 minutes, reducing the day’s quota of overs to 80. England resumed their second innings at 72 for three, chasing a near-impossible 608. Mohammed Siraj (7 wickets and catches) led the attack in the first innings, but Akash Deep built on his first innings performance, striking twice with the new ball early on day five. Coming from a non-descript town in Bihar, Akash, the son of a government school teacher, had a tough journey. He survived on pocket money earned from playing tennis ball cricket until scouts in Bengal noticed his potential and fast-tracked him into the age-group system seven years ago. He made his first-class debut for Bengal during Christmas in 2019. In less than six years, his sharp in cutters from length deceived Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook, making Bumrah’s absence less felt by his skipper. Akash embarked on the tour knowing that his sister was suffering from cancer, and every time he sprinted towards the pitch, visions of his ailing sister crossed his mind. What Akash Deep Said About His Sister? “Whenever I picked the ball, only my sister’s thoughts crossed my mind. I am with you. My sister is suffering from cancer for last two months and she will be very happy after this performance,” he was quoted as saying to the broadcaster after the match. For England, Jamie Smith (88) fought a lone battle before being dismissed by a slow bouncer from Akash, giving the medium pacer his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Fittingly, Akash claimed the final wicket of the game, completing a match haul of 10/187. (With inputs from PTI)