On Day 3 of the fifth Test at the Oval in London, Indian bowler Akash Deep and England opener Ben Duckett had a playful time together. A day after Akash had offered Duckett a cheeky farewell after his elimination, the two cricket players were seen walking arm in arm and chatting amicably in a video that the broadcasters posted.
Akash had been aggressively tackled by Ben Duckett, who even reverse-scooped him for a six. But when Duckett tried another scoop shot and managed to edge it through to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, the bowler finally had the last laugh.
In a seemingly playful move, Akash Deep threw his arm around the opener as he walked back following his explosive 43 off 28 balls.
Pookies 🫰🎀 #SonySportsNetwork #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings pic.twitter.com/Xm9iTAkFJt
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 2, 2025
Duckett was the only wicket taken by Akash, who came in to replace Anshul Kamboj in the starting lineup, during England’s opening innings. But after being sent in as a nightwatcher on Day 2, the 28-year-old made a big impression with the bat. He and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal shared a 107-run stand for the third wicket after he hit a crucial 66 off 94 deliveries.
Gus Atkinson made an incredible diving catch at backward point after Akash edged a rising delivery from Jamie Overton just before lunch on Day 3, ending Akash’s innings. With a century from Jaiswal and a half-century from Ravindra Jadeja, India’s lead grew to around 300 runs as the game went on.
“There is no need to walk him off in that fashion. Your job is done at that point. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bowler do that after getting someone out. It was strange really,” said England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick as quoted by Sky Sports.
India will be motivated to win the last Test and tie the series, which is now 2-1 in England’s favour. To win the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in front of their home crowd, England will try to either win or draw.
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