Akash Deep granted a fan’s request by tossing a water bottle during Day 1 of the fifth Test between India and England on March 7. The video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) shows Akash, acting as a waterboy, delivering the bottle to a fan near the boundary ropes at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, where the final match of the series is taking place.

You can watch the video here:

https://x.com/criccrazyjohns/status/1765765368654782500?s=46

Akash, who debuted in the fourth Test in Ranchi, contributed to India’s five-wicket victory. The fast bowler claimed three wickets in the opening session, dismissing Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope.

Hailing from Bihar, he bowled 19 overs and secured a total of three wickets in the match, even though India predominantly relied on spinners for the majority of the game.

The fast bowler, rested for the fifth Test, saw Jasprit Bumrah’s return to the side after his rest in the fourth Test. In addition to Akash, the injured batsman Rajat Patidar was replaced by Devdutt Padikkal, marking his Test debut in Dharamshala.

Akash Deep is set to participate in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The pacer was retained by RCB for INR 20 before the IPL 2024 auction.

Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin shine as India overwhelms England on Day 1 in Dharamsala

Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav’s clinical bowling display led India to dismantle England on the initial day of the Dharamsala Test. Opting to bowl first, India restricted England to 218 in 57.4 overs, witnessing a collapse with the visitors losing their last seven wickets for a mere 43 runs.

Zak Crawley showcased promise with 79 runs off 108 balls, featuring six fours and 11 boundaries. While Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, and Ben Foakes contributed in their 20s, they couldn’t convert their starts into substantial scores.

Kuldeep Yadav shone as India’s key bowler, securing a five-wicket haul, while Ravichandran Ashwin marked his 100th Test with a four-wicket performance.

Ravindra Jadeja claimed the crucial wicket of Joe Root. In reply, the home team concluded Day 1 at 135/1, with Captain Rohit Sharma (52 off 83) and Shubman Gill (26 off 39) standing strong at the crease. Yashasvi Jaiswal hammered 57 runs from 58 balls before getting stumped by Ben Foakes off Shoaib Bashir.

Jaiswal reached a milestone in the Test series, accumulating 700 runs, making him the second batter, after former captain Sunil Gavaskar, to achieve this feat. Gavaskar had scored 732 and 774 against West Indies in the 70s.

---

Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.