In a surprising turn during the fifth and final Test between India and England, Akash Deep, traditionally known for his bowling, emerged as a batting hero. Sent in as a night-watchman on Day 2, Deep made the most of a dropped chance early in his innings. Displaying composure and grit, he went on to score a remarkable 66 off 94 balls, including 12 boundaries.
This innings marked his maiden Test fifty and came against all odds—especially considering his modest first-class batting average of just 11.48 before this match. His effort not only added crucial runs to India’s total but also placed him in elite company.
Akash Deep Joins Legends with Rare 10-Wicket and 50+ Feat
Akash Deep’s performance in this Test match has etched his name in cricket history. With a 10-wicket haul in the previous game at Edgbaston (10/187), he has now become part of an exclusive club of players who have scored a fifty and taken 10 wickets on an England tour.
This rare feat places him alongside cricketing greats like Shane Warne, Imran Khan, Keith Miller, Hugh Trumble, and Richard Hadlee. Moreover, his bowling figures surpassed Chetan Sharma’s 10/188, which had stood as the best Indian match haul in England for decades. The combination of stellar bowling and his surprise batting prowess highlights the emergence of a promising all-round talent for India.
India’s First Win at Edgbaston and Strong Stand at The Oval
Deep’s all-round contributions were vital in India securing their first-ever Test win at Edgbaston, defeating England by a comprehensive margin of 336 runs. In the following Test at The Oval, his partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal proved crucial. The duo added 107 runs for the third wicket, helping India post 189/3 by lunch on Day 4 and take a commanding 166-run lead.
Akash Deep also became only the fourth Indian batter this century to score a Test fifty at No. 4 in England, joining the ranks of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill. His 66-run knock was also the highest score by an Indian night-watchman at The Oval since Amit Mishra’s 84 in 2011.
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