London: Indian pacer Akash Deep delivered a breakthrough moment on Day 2 of the fifth and final Test at The Oval, dismissing England opener Ben Duckett after a rapid-fire opening stand. While the dismissal was crucial, it was the celebration that followed which triggered a stir in the cricketing community.
England’s fiery start met with fierce reply
After India were bowled out for a modest 224 in the first innings—thanks to Gus Atkinson’s five-wicket haul—England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett launched a ruthless counterattack. The pair unleashed an array of aggressive strokes, reminiscent of T20 cricket, putting Indian bowlers on the back foot. Duckett and Crawley raced to 92 for no loss, peppering the boundary ropes with scoops, ramps, and drives.
Akash Deep, who had endured a tough start, finally had the last laugh when he removed Duckett for 43 runs in the 13th over. Attempting another reverse scoop, Duckett nicked a full delivery that nipped away and was comfortably caught behind by Dhruv Jurel.
This was the fourth time in Test cricket that Akash Deep had dismissed Duckett, reaffirming his edge over the left-hander in red-ball cricket.
A send-off that sparked criticism
While the wicket was pivotal, Akash Deep’s celebration drew more attention. After sending Duckett back, the pacer first pumped his fist and then walked over to place an arm around Duckett’s shoulder. He appeared to exchange a few words with the departing batter, prompting KL Rahul to intervene and guide Akash away.
Although the gesture didn’t seem aggressive, it raised eyebrows—particularly among commentators Michael Atherton and Dinesh Karthik, who voiced concern during the broadcast.
“He’s given Duckett a bit of a send-off, which is probably unnecessary,” remarked Atherton. “It’s the wicket India desperately needed, but not many bowlers walk up to you with an arm around after getting you out.”
Dinesh Karthik added, “I’m not sure this is the right way to send off a batter, especially after you’ve dismissed him. Duckett’s reaction was calm, which tells me they probably know each other well.”
The celebration, though restrained compared to traditional sledging, could attract scrutiny from the match referee for potential breach of conduct.
India’s batting woes and Nair’s lone stand
Earlier in the day, India’s batting line-up crumbled under sustained pressure from England’s seamers. Gus Atkinson was the standout performer, finishing with a five-wicket haul. Karun Nair provided the only notable resistance, scoring 57 runs off 109 deliveries, anchoring an otherwise fragile innings.
With England’s aggressive opening stand broken and controversy brewing over Akash Deep’s celebration, the Test match continues to serve up intense cricket and dramatic subplots.
Conclusion
Akash Deep’s dismissal of Ben Duckett might go down as a turning point in the match, but it also reopened the age-old debate around player conduct and sportsmanship. As the Test progresses, all eyes will remain on the young pacer—not just for his bowling, but for how he handles the spotlight that now burns a little brighter.