Indian speedster Akash Deep has dedicated his match-winning performance to his sister, who is battling cancer for the past two months. “Every time I had the ball in my hand, her thought would cross my mind,” said Akash Deep, who took 10 wickets in India’s series-levelling 336-run victory at the Edgbaston on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Bengal pacer has made a mark on the big stage with his stellar performance on a rather batting-friendly pitch. “I have not spoken about this with anyone, but two months ago, my sister was diagnosed with cancer. She will be very happy with my performance and this will bring some smiles back,” said Akash Deep, while trying to hold back his tears in a conversation with Cheteshwar Pujara.

“Every time I picked up the ball, her thoughts and picture crossed my mind. This performance is dedicated to her. I want to tell her, ‘Sis, we are all with you’,” said Akash Deep.

Talking about the match, he said he was happy that the plans he had put in place worked out really well during the game. “My main aim was to hit the seam on hard lengths and let the ball move in. In case of Joe Root, my aim was to bowl from wide off the crease and get it to shape away. In case of Harry Brook, I knew that he is committed on the backfoot and wanted to hit the seam hard and on fuller length, getting it to move in,” said Akash Deep, explaining the strategy behind his wicket-taking deliveries.

Akash said he would like to savour his match-winning performance and not think about playing at the Lord’s where the next Test is scheduled from July 10. “I haven’t thought about my game-plan for Lord’s. But it won’t be very different from what it has been here. There would be days when it would work and there would be days it won’t work. Our job is to stick to our strengths and believe in our processes,” he added.