In an inspiring turn of events during the ongoing India vs England Test series, Akash Deep, the young pace sensation from Bengal, has shattered a record previously held by India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, underlining his arrival on the big stage and bolstering India’s pace battery in the absence of senior stars.
What record did Akash Deep break?
During his debut Test at Ranchi, Akash Deep registered figures of 3/24 in his opening spell, becoming the fastest Indian bowler to take three wickets within his first four overs on debut, surpassing Bumrah’s record of achieving three wickets in six overs during his debut against South Africa in 2018.
Context: India vs England 4th Test highlights
| Match detail | Key stats |
|---|---|
| Venue | JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi |
| Toss | England won and elected to bat |
| Akash Deep bowling figures | 3/24 in first spell (including two wickets in one over) |
| Wickets taken | Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Zak Crawley |
| Previous record holder | Jasprit Bumrah (3 wickets in 6 overs) |
The 27-year-old seamer, known for his disciplined line and natural outswingers, dismissed the dangerous Zak Crawley with a peach that seamed away, rattled Ollie Pope’s stumps with an in-cutter, and trapped Duckett LBW, leaving England reeling at 47/3 within the first hour.
Who is Akash Deep?
Hailing from Bihar but representing Bengal in domestic cricket, Akash Deep has impressed with consistent performances in Ranji Trophy and IPL. His journey is a classic Indian cricketing fairytale:
- Born: Sasaram, Bihar
- Age: 27
- Domestic team: Bengal
- IPL team: Royal Challengers Bangalore
- First-class wickets before debut: 103 in 28 matches at an average under 24
- Specialisation: Outswinger with steep bounce
Speaking after the end of Day 1, he said:
“It’s an emotional day for me. I grew up watching Bumrah bhai bowl these fiery spells and today to break his record feels surreal. But my focus is on contributing to a series win.”
Comparison: Akash Deep vs Bumrah on debut
| Parameter | Jasprit Bumrah (Debut vs SA, 2018) | Akash Deep (Debut vs ENG, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Overs to claim first 3 wickets | 6 | 4 |
| Wickets on debut innings | 4 | 3 (first innings ongoing) |
| Debut venue | Cape Town | Ranchi |
| Key dismissal | AB de Villiers | Zak Crawley |
While Bumrah went on to become India’s pace spearhead across formats, experts believe Akash Deep’s disciplined lengths and ability to move the ball both ways can make him a formidable Test bowler in Indian conditions and overseas.
Why is this significant for India?
India have been grappling with injuries to their pace attack – Mohammed Shami is recovering from ankle surgery, while Bumrah is being workload-managed. The emergence of Akash Deep alongside Mukesh Kumar and Mohammed Siraj provides depth and rotation options for the upcoming World Test Championship cycle.
Reactions to Akash Deep’s record-breaking debut
- Sunil Gavaskar (Former India captain): “What impressed me was his control and clarity of plan. Taking three wickets in four overs on debut shows he belongs here.”
- Rahul Dravid (Head coach): “He’s been working hard in the nets, and today his discipline paid off. This is just the start.”
- Fans on social media: Praised his aggression, composure, and humble post-match statements, trending hashtags like #AkashDeepDebut #INDvsENG #NewPaceHope
England’s response to Akash Deep’s spell
England’s batting coach Marcus Trescothick admitted:
“We expected Bumrah and Siraj to be tough, but Akash Deep surprised us with his pace and movement early on.”
Despite their famed ‘Bazball’ approach, England were forced into a defensive mode before Joe Root and Ben Stokes steadied the innings later in the day.
The path forward for Akash Deep
His debut performance opens up possibilities for:
- Selection in overseas tours, especially South Africa and New Zealand where his bounce and seam movement will be potent.
- Becoming a permanent third seamer alongside Bumrah and Shami in India’s full-strength XI.
- Greater responsibility for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and possibly leading the bowling attack in future IPL seasons.
Akash Deep’s career so far
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best bowling | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-class | 28 | 103 | 6/41 | 23.5 |
| List A | 25 | 42 | 5/29 | 24.8 |
| T20 | 33 | 45 | 4/35 | 20.6 |
His economy and wicket-taking ability in T20 cricket have been equally impressive, highlighting his adaptability across formats.
Key challenges ahead
While Akash Deep’s debut was stellar, former India pacer Irfan Pathan cautioned:
“Consistency and fitness will be the key. International cricket tests your mental and physical limits every day.”
Conclusion
Akash Deep breaking Jasprit Bumrah’s debut record marks a proud moment not only for the bowler but also for India’s domestic cricket structure, which continues to produce world-class pace talent. With this performance, he has added a fresh dimension to India’s attack, giving the team management a healthy selection headache for future series.
As India seeks to maintain its dominance in home Tests and prepare for upcoming WTC finals and overseas tours, Akash Deep’s fiery start is a welcome boost to the team’s fast bowling arsenal.
Disclaimer: This article summarises live sporting events and records based on available match data. Readers are advised to follow official BCCI updates and match broadcasts for finalised statistics and future selection decisions.
