In a country where cricket is more than just a sport, Akash Deep stands as a reminder that determination can outshine even the toughest challenges.
His journey from modest beginnings to the grand stages of professional cricket reflects grit, patience, and unwavering belief.
The Indian Premier League has a reputation for turning unknown talents into stars, and Akash Deep is a shining example.
From a base-price pick to a multi-crore signing, his journey reflects the rewards of persistence and performance.
Not all stars are born in the spotlight some earn it. Akash Deep is one of them.
Personal Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|
| Full Name | Akash Deep |
| Date of Birth | 15 December 1996 |
| Birthplace | Dehri, Bihar, India |
| Age | 29 years (as of early 2026) |
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Role | Right-Arm Fast-Medium Bowler |
| Education | Completed his schooling up to the 12th grade in Bihar |
| Estimated Net Worth | ₹37–42 crore |
| Teams | Bengal, Kolkata Knight Riders, India-A, India |
Early Life
Akash Deep was born in Dehri, Bihar and grew up in Kolkata, West Bengal.
His father Ramji Singh served as a government school teacher in Bihar’s Sasaram.
He faced opposition from his parents and neighbors in Bihar for his passion for playing cricket over academics.
At a time when the Bihar Cricket Association was suspended, there was no proper platform for budding cricketers in Bihar to pursue their career prospects in cricket, and Akash Deep was one of the victims of it.
Some of the parents urged their children not to mingle with Akash Deep, as Akash was the only person to passionately engage in cricket in Sasaram.
Meanwhile, some of those parents were cautious that their own children would follow in the footsteps of Akash Deep by abandoning academics.
Akash Deep’s father apparently wanted his son to appear for exams that would help him land a government job, but Akash was more keen on not giving up his interest in cricket.
His father advised him to attend the Bihar police constable’s exams or at least try for state government’s Class IV staff peon job.
He faced setbacks at a time when he was focusing on his career ambitions as his father and his elder brother died unexpectedly, leaving behind Akash as well as two sisters in their family.
His father and elder brother died all within six months and Akash became the solo bread earner in his family.
Youth and Domestic Career
A close friend of him helped him to join a cricket club in Durgapur to manage his daily expenses.
He started playing tennis-ball matches around Durgapur and earn INR 600 per day and he would earn around 20,000 per month playing tennis-ball matches.
He joined a United Club in the CAB first division league in 2010 to realize his dreams of cricketing career.
He initially joined a local academy as a frontline batsman, but at the request of his coaches, he switched to fast bowling as he started gaining height over the years.
He worked alongside former Bengal fast bowler Ranadeb Bose as part of India’s Vision 2020 programme and he got selected for the Bengal U-23 cricket team within a year.
He faced a career-threatening back injury at that time, and he apparently received support from his Bengal U-23 head coach, Sourasish Lahiri, who looked after his rehabilitation process.
He made his Twenty20 debut for Bengal in the 2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on 9 March 2019.
He made his List A debut on 24 September 2019, for Bengal in the 2019–20 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
He made his first-class debut on 25 December 2019, for Bengal in the 2019–20 Ranji Trophy.
On 30 August 2021, Deep was included in the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad for the second phase of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) in the UAE.
In February 2022, he was bought by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the auction for the 2022 Indian Premier League tournament.
He also took eleven scalps including two four-wicket hauls in two tour games for India A against England Lions prior to his test callup.
International Career
Akash Deep replaced injured Shivam Mavi in India’s squad for the 2022 Asian Games but didn’t make the final squad.
In November 2023, he was included in India’s ODI squad for the series against South Africa.
In South Africa as an injury replacement for Deepak Chahar, but he did not play in any of the matches.
In February 2024, he received his maiden Test callup for the last three Tests for the home Test series against England.
He received the news of his selection while he was playing the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy representing Bengal.
He was named in Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy squad for India, against England, in 2025.
Although he was not picked in the first test, he played a crucial role in the second, in place of Jasprit Bumrah.
He achieved his maiden 10-wicket haul with 4 in the first innings and 6 in the second, helping India.
In the same series he scored the second-highest score by any nightwatchman for India.
He was batting to protect the captain, Shubman Gill, in the India vs England test series 2025, and hit 12 boundaries.
He scored his maiden half century ending up with 66 runs.
IPL Career
Akash Deep began his IPL journey as an uncapped fast bowler and steadily worked his way up to becoming a sought-after pacer in the auction.
2021 Royal Challengers Bangalore Joined as a replacement player.
2022 Bought for ₹20 lakh in Royal Challengers Bangalore.
2023 Retained for ₹20 lakh in Royal Challengers Bangalore.
2024 Retained for ₹20 lakh in Royal Challengers Bangalore.
2025 Lucknow Super Giants Bought for ₹8 crore (major breakthrough at mega auction).
2026 Kolkata Knight Riders Bought for ₹1 crore.
Fun and Interesting Facts
Unlike many cricketers, Akash Deep didn’t begin as a professional cricketer early he initially played tennis-ball cricket before transitioning to the professional level.
He originally wanted to be a batsman but eventually discovered his strength in fast bowling something that completely changed his career path.
His career took shape after moving to Kolkata, where he trained and played domestic cricket, representing Bengal.
His journey hasn’t been easy he faced personal and financial struggles early in life, making his rise even more inspiring.
Before gaining IPL attention, he made a strong impact in India’s domestic circuit, especially in red-ball cricket, with consistent wicket-taking performances.
His performances with Royal Challengers Bangalore brought him into the spotlight, where he impressed with his pace and control.
Coaches and teammates often praise him for his work ethic and calm attitude on the field.
Records
Akash Deep has been a consistent wicket-taker for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, often delivering match-winning spells in red-ball cricket.
He has registered multiple 5-wicket hauls, showcasing his ability to dominate long-format games.
Quickly became one of the leading pacers for Bengal, playing a crucial role in their strong domestic seasons.
Known for his ability to pick early wickets with the new ball one of his standout strengths across formats.
Widely regarded as a dependable long-format bowler, capable of maintaining line and length over extended spells.
Written by Nishchay Malhotra