The Unstoppable Force of Akash Deep
Akash Deep, the Indian pacer, is not just another fast bowler; he is a force of nature. If he were a serial killer, his signature style would be unmistakable. His relentless assault leaves batters in a state of sheer devastation, each one falling in eerie uniformity. Their legs splayed, knees buckled, bats limp in their hands, shoulders twisted to the right, heads tilted to the left, eyes wide open, mouths agape—each image a testament to his methodical carnage.
The double dismissal of Harry Brook at Edgbaston stands as a prime example of Akash Deep’s deadly craft. On both occasions, Brook was shattered like a brittle twig, his knees buckling and shoulders slumping, with the bat hanging uselessly. This devastation was unleashed by Akash Deep’s skiddy seamers, his go-to weapon of destruction. In both innings, he kept the ball just back of a length, making it zip off the surface. Unable to counter these deliveries in time, Brook was blown apart mid-flight, scattering him into bits on the popping crease.
Brook wasn’t alone. Throughout the Test, Akash Deep had England’s batters staggering like drunk dancers on slippery ice—flailing, falling, and looking foolish. How did Akash Deep orchestrate this chaos?
The Science Behind the Skid
Fast bowling is a science, particularly when it comes to physics and aerodynamics. When a bowler hurls the ball, it acts like a projectile, following the rules of motion. While all fast bowlers use these principles, each has a unique style.
Akash Deep’s specialty lies in making the ball skid off the pitch—meaning it stays low and moves quickly after bouncing, often catching the batter off guard. His deliveries also swing or seam both ways, making them unpredictable. This skidding and erratic movement often lead to batters being bowled or trapped LBW. In domestic cricket, about half of Akash Deep’s wickets come from these dismissals, showcasing his ability to knock over stumps or pin batters in front.
His high arm action causes the ball to skid, with more downward velocity than forward momentum, reducing pitch resistance. The upright seam further amplifies the skid effect, hurrying the ball through as if it were on skates.
To extract the best from his art, Akash Deep maintains a consistent line and length. As experts noted after his Edgbaston exploits, he attacks the stumps, bringing bowled and LBW into play. Nearly 70 percent of his deliveries are just short of good length (6-8 metres from stumps), giving them zip and stump-level height.
Interestingly, the skid and upright seam—the thread sewn on the leather ball—are trademarks of another great Indian pacer, Mohammad Shami. And Akash Deep looks like a bowler-for-bowler replacement for Shami.
The Role of the Pitch
Here is the fun part: The curator of the Edgbaston pitch unwittingly helped Akash Deep turn into a lethal bowler. The England team, as part of its Bazball policy, seeks to dominate Test cricket with fearless batting. Since it wants to use the bat as its strongest suit, the pitches are crafted in such a way that they suffer minimum wear, especially against teams like India that rely on spin.
Because the pitches don’t deteriorate or roughen, they remain smooth as highways till the end. These hard pitches help bowlers who can make the ball skid. (Since the resistance from the surface is minimal.)
At Edgbaston, the English fell into their own trap by preparing what is called a paata pitch—flat, smooth, and batting friendly, resembling an Indian track. Akash Deep (and Mohammad Siraj) exploited these conditions with their skidding-on-the-deck deliveries. English bowlers, conversely, tried to hit the surface for bounce and movement, which faded as the ball aged and the clouds disappeared.
But skid isn’t the only weapon for Akash Deep. His dismissal of Joe Root showcased his sharp mind: going wide on the crease, creating an angle, and making the ball jag away at the last second to knock off the bails—a delivery blending science, precision, and wizardry.
A Man with Nothing to Lose
But, all of this couldn’t have been achieved if Akash Deep wasn’t the embodiment of the old adage: a man who has nothing to lose is a dangerous man.
At 23, Akash Deep was forced to take a break from cricket to take care of his father, who was paralysed. A few years later, Akash Deep lost his father and elder brother. In 2024, when he debuted for India against England at Ranchi, Akash Deep unleashed his skidders and seamers, scalping three wickets in no time. Later, he told the media, he had no fear. “Having lost so much, there was nothing else to lose,” he said.
Akash Deep’s mental toughness has been forged by hardships and tragedies, which seem bent to test him further with his sister’s illness. At Edgbaston, his resolve was further steeled by the realisation that once again he had nothing to lose. Already the fourth-choice bowler, he was playing because Jasprit Bumrah had to be rested. Aware that his chances were limited, Akash Deep battled without fear, bowling his heart out, gambling his last breath.
Rewriting the Story
Akash Deep’s Edgbaston heroics have rewritten his story from a fourth-choice bowler to an indispensable force. His skiddy seamers, relentless accuracy, and fearless spirit have not only dismantled England’s batters but also their carefully laid plans. At Lord’s, the hosts face a grim choice: craft another flat track, and Akash Deep’s missiles will wreak havoc; offer bounce, and Bumrah’s wrath awaits. With Siraj by their side, this holy trinity of pace has India dreaming big.
From a boy shaped by loss to a warrior owning the crease, Akash Deep has proven that the most beautiful carnage comes from a perpetrator that fears nothing.
