Sourav Ganguly played a huge role in Akash Deep's Emergence: Bengal Legend Saurasish Lahiri | Exclusive

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Akash Deep, India's rising pace sensation, delivered a historic performance in the second Test against England at Edgbaston in July 2025, securing a 336-run victory-India's first at the venue.

Replacing the rested Jasprit Bumrah, the Bengal speedster claimed a remarkable 10-wicket haul (4/88 and 6/99), surpassing Chetan Sharma's record for India's best bowling figures in a Test in England with 10/187.

But Akash's journey to this triumph has not been easy, as it has always been navigated amid profound personal tragedies. Born in Sasaram, Bihar, in 1996, he faced familial opposition to his cricketing dreams, with his father, a schoolteacher, urging him toward government jobs. In 2015, Akash endured the devastating loss of his father to a stroke and his elder brother to a misdiagnosed illness within six months, leaving him to support his two sisters.

Saurasish Lahiri on Sourav Ganguly's role on Akash Deep

And after coming to Bengal for a future in cricket, Akash Deep suffered a career-threatening back injury. During that time, then Bengal U23 coach Saurasish Lahiri played a huge part in his nurturing, and the Bengal coach spoke to MyKhel about Sourav Ganguly's role in Akash's emergence.

"Sourav Ganguly has played a huge part [in helping Akash Deep]. When Akashdeep first came, I told him about Akashdeep's injury. We were going to play a pre-season tournament in Bangalore. I couldn't take Akash to that team because he was injured. At the same time, I knew that if Akashdeep stayed in Kolkata, he wouldn't be able to rehab," Saurasish said to MyKhel.

"When I saw him, I was absolutely determined to make him play. But I couldn't play with his injury. So, I just wanted him to stay with me. At that time, I told them that Dada (Sourav Ganguly) and Abhishek Dalmiya was absolutely instrumental. They backed me very much. They believed in me and my vision with Akash. Dada said, 'do you believe in him?' I said, Yes and he believed in me. He will be fit. Then he will be back to play," he added.

Akash Deep has been a fighter in his career and Saurasish also explains that the Bengal ace has worked only to become a Test bowler. The former Bengal player, who recently coached Howrah Warriors to win the Bengal Pro T20 League, heaped praise on the India pacer.

"Akash Deep is a very sharp and intelligent guy. He has great work ethics and he is a great human being. He is a quick learner. He gets up early in the morning. He prepares himself. Another big thing is that he is a lion-hearted cricketer. He is never scared to implement his skills on the pitch," Lahiri concludes.