The fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England at The Oval has been filled with drama, with Indian pacer Akash Deep finding himself at the center of attention. On Day 2, after dismissing England opener Ben Duckett, Akash Deep's send-off sparked controversy, but he followed it up with a remarkable performance on Day 3, showcasing his talent with the bat.
The incident occurred after Akash Deep bowled Ben Duckett, reportedly after Duckett taunted him, saying, "You cannot get me out in here". Following the dismissal, Akash Deep walked up to Duckett, placed his arm around the England opener’s shoulder, exchanged a few words, and grinned as he offered some unsolicited farewell words. While Duckett didn't visibly react negatively, the gesture was criticized by former cricketers and commentators. Michael Atherton, speaking on Sky Sports, called the moment "unacceptable". He said, "Can you imagine doing that to Viv Richards or any number? I would have hated that. If a bowler puts his arms around me, having just dismissed me stay out of the way... it's a non-contact sport and something like that will end in problems". Ravi Shastri also weighed in, emphasizing that there should be no physical contact. He said that a player with a "feisty temperament" might have reacted poorly, potentially leading to regretful actions.
However, Akash Deep turned the narrative around with his performance on Day 3. Coming in as a nightwatchman to protect Yashasvi Jaiswal, he defied expectations by smashing 66 runs off 94 balls, including 12 boundaries. This was his maiden Test half-century and his highest score in first-class cricket. He survived a tricky morning session and Zak Crawley dropped him on 21. Akash Deep's aggressive approach bewildered the English dressing room, with his batting display being described as "Bazball-on-steroids". At one point, he was even outscoring Jaiswal.
His innings helped India reach 189/3 by lunch on Day 3, extending their lead to 166 runs. He formed a crucial 107-run partnership with Jaiswal for the third wicket. His performance drew widespread praise and admiration. Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar noted the supportive reaction of the Indian crowd at The Oval. Varun Aaron compared Akash Deep's 66 to a triple century.
Akash Deep's journey from being labeled a potential "villain" to becoming a "hero" highlights the unpredictable nature of cricket. His aggressive batting display, combined with his earlier controversial send-off, has made him a talking point of the Test match. Furthermore, his ten-wicket haul in the previous game at Edgbaston and fifty in this Test puts him in the company of cricketing legends like Shane Warne and Imran Khan.
