Indian night watchman Akash Deep achieved a significant milestone on Saturday, scoring his maiden Test half-century against England, an innings that saw the entire Indian dressing room erupt in cheers.
Akash Deep’s Maiden Fifty Lights Up the Day
In a memorable moment during the third day of the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Akash Deep, primarily known for his bowling, showcased remarkable batting prowess. He crafted a gritty knock of 66 runs, marking his highest-ever score in the longest format of the game.
As the right-hander reached his fifty, the celebration from the Indian camp was palpable. Captain Shubman Gill led the enthusiastic cheers, and even coach Gautam Gambhir was seen breaking into a rare smile, acknowledging the crucial effort from the tail-ender.
A Gritty Knock Under Pressure
Akash Deep’s innings was a testament to his resilience. Coming in as a night watchman, his role was to survive until the next day, but he went well beyond expectations. He faced 94 deliveries, smashing 12 boundaries along the way, helping India consolidate their position.
His stay at the crease eventually ended when he was caught by Gus Atkinson off a delivery from Jamie Overton. However, by then, Akash had well and truly played his part, providing valuable support to the main batsmen and frustrating the English bowlers.
Ranking Among Night Watchman Heroes
This impressive 66-run innings by Akash Deep now stands as the second-highest score ever by an Indian night watchman in Test cricket. He trails only Amit Mishra’s memorable 84 runs, which came against England at The Oval back in 2011, placing him in esteemed company.
More Than Just Batting: A Fiery Presence
This match has been quite an eventful one for Akash Deep, especially considering he missed the previous Test in Manchester due to injury. Before his batting heroics, he made headlines on Friday with his fiery bowling performance.
After breaking a dangerous opening partnership by dismissing Zak Crawley, Deep was seen giving Ben Duckett a rather animated send-off. He celebrated vigorously and exchanged words with the English opener, even being momentarily pulled away by KL Rahul, with umpire Ahsan Raza having a word with him.
Tensions Flared Throughout the Series
The incident involving Akash Deep and Duckett was not isolated, reflecting a series that has seen its fair share of heated exchanges between players. The five-Test series, where the hosts currently lead 2-1, has been marked by several instances of competitive banter and intense stares.
Another notable confrontation involved Joe Root and Prasidh Krishna, who engaged in a lengthy verbal battle. The umpires intervened to calm Krishna down as well, underscoring the high stakes and passion on display throughout the contest.
- Akash Deep scored his maiden Test half-century with a gritty 66 runs.
- His innings helped India to a steady position in the fifth Test against England.
- The Indian dressing room, including captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir, cheered his milestone.
- His score is the second-highest by an Indian night watchman in Test history.
- Deep also featured in a fiery exchange with England’s Ben Duckett earlier in the match.
Akash Deep’s performance highlights his all-round capabilities and adds another layer of excitement to what has been a truly competitive series.
