Who is Deepesh Devendran who picked up 5 wicket haul against Malaysia in U/19 Asia Cup 2025?

Deepesh Devendran is fast emerging as one of the most exciting pace prospects in India’s Under-19 setup. The right-arm medium-fast bowler from Tamil Nadu announced himself on the continental stage with a stunning five-wicket haul against Malaysia in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai, underlining his rapid rise in youth cricket.

A product of a cricketing household

Born on January 4, 2008, Deepesh hails from a strong cricketing background. His father, Vasudevan Devendran, represented Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket and featured in the inaugural edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (then known as the Inter-State T20 tournament). After his playing days, Vasudevan turned coach and played a key role in shaping Deepesh’s early development.

Growing up in Tamil Nadu’s competitive cricket ecosystem, Deepesh learned the value of discipline and patience early on, traits that are now clearly visible in his bowling.

Style inspired by Dale Steyn

Deepesh is a self-confessed admirer of Dale Steyn, and the influence shows. He bowls a heavy length, attacks the stumps, and relies on late seam movement rather than just raw pace. For a 17-year-old, his control is impressive, regularly touching speeds above 130 kmph while maintaining a tight line.

Coaches often describe him as a bowler who enjoys long spells and thrives when asked to break partnerships, qualities that separate promising quicks from genuine prospects.

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Breakthrough on overseas tours

Deepesh first came into wider focus during India U19’s tours of England and Australia in 2025. While the England tour was steady rather than spectacular, it was the Australian series that truly changed perceptions.

In the Youth Test series against Australia U19, he finished as the leading wicket-taker, claiming 10 wickets in four innings at an outstanding average of 9.80. His standout performance came in the first Test at Brisbane’s Ian Healy Oval, where he picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings and ended the match with eight wickets. Those performances firmly established him as a frontline bowler in the India U19 attack.

U19 Asia Cup 2025: A tournament to remember

The Asia Cup in Dubai has been Deepesh’s most convincing statement yet.

• Against UAE, he bowled with control and picked up key wickets.
• In the high-voltage clash against Pakistan, his spell of 3 for 16 ripped through the top order and set the tone for India’s dominant 90-run win.
• Against Malaysia, Deepesh delivered his best performance of the tournament, claiming a five-wicket haul as the opposition collapsed under sustained pressure.

Across matches, he has shown maturity beyond his age, often striking early and finishing spells strongly.

What lies ahead

At just 17, Deepesh Devendran is already being viewed as a vital cog in India’s plans for the U19 World Cup next year. His ability to combine pace, accuracy, and temperament makes him a standout among his peers.

If his development continues on this trajectory, Deepesh won’t just be remembered as a star of the U19 Asia Cup 2025, but as a fast bowler with the potential to climb much higher in Indian cricket’s pace hierarchy.