Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed his disappointment with pacer Akash Deep ahead of Day 5 of the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval. Pathan criticized Deep for his underwhelming bowling performance. After missing the fourth Test due to injury, Deep returned to the playing XI but struggled to make an impact.
In the first innings, he managed just one wicket while conceding 80 runs in 17 overs. His second innings performance hasn’t been much better, with figures of 1/85 from 20 overs. According to Pathan, the young pacer lacked sharpness and could have delivered a more effective spell.
“The one bowler I am disappointed with is Akash Deep. He could have bowled well. A bowler with a straight seam is very dangerous in the last innings, but that could not happen,” he said on his YouTube channel. (2:27)
Chasing 374, England ended Day 4 on 339/6, needing 35 runs to win. Irfan Pathan hoped India could take the final four wickets but felt Overton and Smith might finish the chase. He praised Prasidh Krishna for his performance, highlighting his 4/62 in the first innings and three wickets in the second, adding that experience matters in big games.
“Open with Siraj and Prasidh” – Irfan Pathan’s Day 5 advice to Team India
With just 35 runs to defend, Irfan Pathan urged India to start Day 5 with Siraj and Prasidh. Both took four wickets in the first innings. He noted India may have only around 15 overs to claim the final wickets before the game slips away.
“Start with Siraj and Prasidh tomorrow. You just have a window of 13-15 overs within which you have to pick these wickets. If it does not happen in that window the game can finish earlier also. But it has been exciting and I am very happen as a fan as well watching. Test cricket is alive and kicking,” he said. (4:38)
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