Ravi Shastri, known for his forthright opinions, couldn't contain his surprise at Shubman Gill's strategy on the crucial Day 5 of the second Test between India and England. Gill's decision to hold back Mohammed Siraj, who had already taken seven wickets in the match, from opening the bowling raised eyebrows. Shastri, on commentary, expressed his disbelief, stating, "Can't believe that Mohammed Siraj is not opening the bowling. He has taken 7 wickets in this match, but he's sat at mid-on". Instead, Gill opted for Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep to start the proceedings.
Adding to Shastri's bewilderment was the fact that Akash Deep was bowling from a different end than he had on the previous day. This tactical shift, combined with Siraj's absence from the initial attack, seemed perplexing to the former India coach.
However, Akash Deep immediately proved Shastri wrong. With the pressure mounting, Akash Deep delivered a crucial breakthrough, dismissing Ollie Pope. The delivery exhibited uneven bounce, catching Pope off guard. The ball struck Pope on the back of his elbow before deflecting onto the stumps, sending the English batsman back to the pavilion. This early wicket provided India with the momentum they desperately needed and justified Gill's faith in the young pacer.
Akash Deep's performance underscores his ability to make an impact, even on relatively flat wickets. In this match, he demonstrated his knack for getting the new ball to move, troubling the English batsmen. His success can be attributed to his fuller length and his strategy of attacking the off-stump.
The young bowler has received a lot of support from the coaching staff. Akash Deep revealed that constant encouragement from bowling coach Morne Morkel and head coach Gautam Gambhir has helped him maintain high spirits and confidence, even when not in the playing XI. He stated that their shared experiences of playing in England and their praise for his skills have been instrumental in his development.
Shastri himself has been a vocal supporter of Shubman Gill, backing him to achieve great success as India's Test captain. He has praised Gill's elegance, maturity, and composure, emphasizing the importance of providing him with a long tenure to flourish. Shastri has also urged critics to consider Gill's potential and class, highlighting that he has a decade of cricket ahead of him. Despite questioning this particular tactic, Shastri has previously advised Gill to be more proactive in his captaincy.
While Gill's decision to delay the declaration in the match drew criticism, with some labeling his tactics as "boring", his trust in his bowling attack, particularly Akash Deep, ultimately paid off. Akash Deep's immediate impact after Shastri's expression of disbelief highlights the unpredictable nature of cricket and the importance of backing young talent. His ability to perform under pressure and deliver crucial breakthroughs makes him a valuable asset to the Indian team.
