When nightwatchman Akash Deep scored an incredible half-century in the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir was beaming.
After Sai Sudharsan was dismissed late on Day 2, Akash entered the game and made an immediate impression. He started his bat with a boundary and carried on his aggressive style on Day 3.
Akash was greeted warmly by the Indian dressing room as he celebrated with a fist pump after hitting a boundary off Gus Atkinson to register his first Test fifty. While Ravindra Jadeja motioned for Akash to take off his helmet and celebrate the milestone in style, Indian captain Shubman Gill took off his helmet and went out to the balcony to cheer.
Akash’s performance, which included 12 boundaries overall, was crucial to India’s second innings as they aim to achieve a significant mark. He swung his blade all over the park to end with 66 runs off just 94 deliveries. The Bengali player and Yashasvi Jaiswal formed an important 100-run partnership for the third wicket, which greatly increased India’s lead in the last Test.
In addition to his batting prowess, Akash made headlines on Day 2 for a touching scene in which he embraced Ben Duckett after dismissing him after a humorous farewell.
India is currently in charge.
India had a 166-run advantage at 189/3 at lunchtime on the third day. Gill was on 11 and Jaiswal was undefeated at 85. The Baggy Blues ended the day with a 52-run lead after losing KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan the day before.
Karun Nair scored the most runs (57) as Shubman Gill’s team was bowled out for 224 in the first innings. Atkinson claimed his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket, showcasing his skill with the ball for England. England only gained a narrow 23-run lead after managing 247 in reply. England’s top batsmen were Harry Brook (53), and Zak Crawley (64), while Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, who bowled for India, each took four wickets.
India is keen to win this Test and tie the series, as England leads 2-1 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. However, England would win the series and take home the newly renamed trophy if they drew or won.
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