In spite of the Bengal seamer’s lack of fitness, Navjot Singh Sidhu blasted the Indian team management for entering the fifth and final Test match at The Oval in London with Akash Deep. Deep missed the ensuing match at Old Trafford after suffering a groin injury during the third Test at Lord’s.
Deep concluded with statistics of 1/80 in 17 overs during the first innings of the fifth Test. He has taken one wicket and given up 85 runs in 20 overs in the second innings. With his first international half-century in the second innings, the 28-year-old made a valuable batting contribution. He hasn’t, however, been playing with any rhythm thus far.
It was evident from the English commentary that the question was whether Akash Deep had received an injection. A healthy left-arm pacer like Arshdeep is on the bench, and you are playing a bowler in a Test match after giving him an injection. How come you didn’t play him? It is a criminal to enter with a bowler who is not fully fit. It is a terrible, fundamental mistake. In a video posted to his official YouTube channel, Sidhu stated, “Because your other two bowlers, who are supposed to be racehorses, end up becoming workhorses.”
Deep bowled a few misdirected deliveries and was unable to move as well as he would have wanted because to his difficult bending to stop the balls, Sidhu noted, indicating that he wasn’t in his best physical shape.
“Look, your constant compromises on your bowling are the most disheartening thing. In my opinion, Akash Deep was a remarkable success story. He was hurt after winning a match against you. Akash Deep, you have now played a half-fit. It was fully exposed today. The left side of the ball is going a foot wide. There is no bending in him. He is unable to descend. Despite his best efforts, he is unable to play football. He is obviously uncomfortable.
Siraj will also be broken by you: Sidhu
Mohammed Siraj would have to take on more responsibility and put in more effort if he were to play with bowlers who were not fully recovered, Sidhu cautioned.
“You’re going to break Siraj too.” He’ll lose it too. since you have just three bowlers. Take a look at England. Four fast bowlers were used. They still had three after one was hurt. You only have three now, and it’s not even a legitimate three. The former Indian batsman stated, “It is not even two and a half now.”
Instead of condemning Deep, Sidhu expressed sympathy for the Dehri native, pointing out that he has been dealing with ailments since the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL).
To be fair, Akash Deep is not to blame. “If he’s hurt, then he’s hurt.” After recovering from an injury sustained during the IPL, he is now as delicate as a touch-me-not plant. There have probably been thirteen or so changes. Bowlers continue to arrive and depart,” he continued.
India needs four wickets with just 35 runs remaining, making the fourth day of the Test match intriguingly poised. On Day 5, Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton will bat again in an attempt to lead England to a gruelling series victory.
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