Kolkata. His sister Akhand Jyoti has been a major contributor to the hero of the second Test victory against England, Akash Deep, who is now struggling with the third stage of Cologne cancer herself. Akash Deep took 10 wickets in this match and won India. India has equaled 1-1 in the series after this victory. But do you know that Akash Deep lost his father Ramji Singh and elder brother in a span of six months in 2015. Then there was a crisis on his cricket career. In those days of despair, Akhand Jyoti continuously inspired her younger brother’s dream to fulfill the dream. Then his sister had said, “Go ahead in this field.”
Akash Deep has traveled a long way till now due to that confidence of sister Akhand Jyoti. Akash Deep dedicated his performance to the sister after the match on Sunday. Akhand Jyoti is now on chemotherapy after undergoing colon cancer surgery on 14 May. Jyoti’s husband Nitesh Kumar Singh is retired from the army and is now working in the bank. He told, ‘It is a matter of pride for the whole family. After the death of his father, Akash was playing club cricket in Delhi, but he was not getting that success. This was the light that said to him, ‘Take it seriously. If needed, go somewhere else and fulfill this dream.
Nitesh Kumar Singh said, ‘We continued to live with what we had. Akash was always more mature than his age. He said that Jyoti is 10 years older than Akash Deep. After the death of father and brother, Akash’s relationship with his sister became deeper. Nitesh said, ‘They share everything. Whether it is a decision to take a decision, jokes or to increase trust. They always help to advance each other.
Even during chemotherapy, Akhand Jyoti ensured that his brother focuses on the game. Before the tour of England, the family went to the airport to leave the Akash, where his sister asked him not to worry about his health and focus on playing well for the country. Jyoti talks to her brother every day.
Nitesh Kumar Singh said, ‘Soon after the match was over, Akash Deep got a call and he spoke to him on the video call. We slept at around two o’clock last night. Nitesh said that whenever Akash takes wickets, Jyoti is very happy and the family claps so loudly and celebrates that his neighbors also ask what has happened. He said, ‘Mother (Akash’s mother Laduma Devi) is also with her (Jyoti) for care. She has become very emotional. Akash Deep’s brother -in -law said that if he (Akash Deep) continues to perform in this way, it will help him to recover mentally and the treatment will be more effective. Chemotherapy is having a good effect on it and now it is much better than before.
Akash Deep along with his sister also gave his native village and district a chance to celebrate happiness. He founded the Akash Baibhav Cricket Academy in Sasaram with his cousin Baibhav Kumar. More than 200 players are trained in this academy right now. Baibhav said, ‘After seeing so many struggles, the Akash always wanted to give some back to the society.’ He said, ‘Our academy has all the facilities (bowling machines, floodlights, nets). We provide these facilities at a very low cost so that the children of medium and low -income families also get a chance to realize their dreams. The celebrations continue since the match in his village Baddi. Baibhav said, ‘We are dancing, distributing sweets. This will inspire many people here.
