ENG vs IND 2025: 'Don't worry about me, do well for India' - Akhand Jyoti Singh motivates brother Akash Deep amid cancer battle

Akash Deep has been the talk of the town after playing a significant role in India's first-ever Test win at Edgbaston, Birmingham last week. The Asian giants defeated England by 336 runs in the second Test in "The Magic City" to draw level in the five-match series for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

The Bengal speedster took 10 wickets in the match on a surface that wasn't providing too much assistance for the bowlers. In the second innings, he bagged a six-for as India ended their long wait for a win at Edgbaston. The England batters looked all at sea against Deep's ability to seam the ball from a length.

After India's historic win, Deep revealed, in an interview with Cheteshwar Pujara for Sony Sports Network, that his sister is battling cancer and he dedicated his performance to her.

Akhand Jyoti Singh, Deep's sister, gave an emotional interview to India Today after listening to his doting brother's heartwarming words after his Edgbaston heroics. She revealed that her message to Deep before he embarked on the tour of England was simple. Jyoti wanted his brother to focus on performing well for India and not worry about her as she was fine. She mentioned that her cancer is in its third stage, and she will undergo treatment for six more months.

"It is a matter of pride for India - he has taken 10 wickets. Before the England tour, we went to meet him at the airport. I told him, 'I’m absolutely fine, don’t worry about me, just do well for the country.' I am in the third stage (of cancer), and the doctor has said the treatment will go on for six more months, after which we’ll see," Akash Deep's sister said in an exclusive interview.

"It makes me very happy when Akash takes wickets. Whenever he gets a wicket, all of us start clapping and cheering so loudly that the neighbours in the colony ask what has happened!" she laughed.

Maybe we weren’t ready to talk about it publicly: Jyoti

Jyoti said that she had no idea Deep would talk about her illness after the Edgbaston Test. She said that the family was still contemplating whether to speak about it publicly or not. However, she feels that Deep couldn't hold back his emotions as he loves his sister and his family very much.

“I had no idea Akash would say something like that. Maybe we weren’t ready to talk about it publicly, but the way he became emotional and said it for me- dedicating it to me - it’s a big deal. It shows how much he loves our family and me. Given the situation at home, and still performing like that and taking wickets there, it’s a huge thing. I’m the one he is closest to,” she said.

Jyoti said that she was in tears after speaking to Deep on video call after the match. The 28-year-old right-arm pacer told her sister that the entire nation is praying for her well-being.

“After the match ended, we spoke twice over video call, and again at 5 a.m. in the morning. Akash told me, ‘Don’t worry, the whole country is with us.’ He said, ‘I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I had been trying to, but yesterday I just couldn’t stop myself,'" revealed Jyoti, who also said that she wants to cook food for her brother after he returns home.