Team India pacer Akash Deep acknowledged that the lower-order batsmen were aware of their limited contributions with the bat during the England tour. This lack of support from the bowlers proved costly in the series opener, where two batting collapses in both innings resulted in a loss for India, despite dominating most of the match at Headingley.
Facing a 23-run deficit before the second innings on a challenging pitch at The Oval, and needing a win, India required everyone to contribute to set a strong target for England. At 70-2 near the end of Day 2, the team sent Akash Deep out as a nightwatchman.
This strategy had failed during the Men in Blue’s run chase at Lord’s, where Akash was dismissed for just 1 by Ben Stokes. But in the final Test, he played a crucial innings, scoring 66 runs off 94 balls. His performance helped build a vital 107-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal for the third wicket.
“We realised the lower-order was not contributing with the bat, and it’s important because even 15, 20, or 30 runs at the end can make the team a top side in Test cricket. When I was sent out as a night watchman, I saw it as a great opportunity to do something for the team,” Akash Deep said in an interview with RevSportz.
“My plan was to bat for as long as possible, was not thinking too much about runs, the time was the main focus, only that was going on in my mind. Then I observed that they were getting frustrated and trying too hard, and that is when I thought that there is a good chance to score some runs as well.” he added.
“I played it in the air through the gap” – Akash Deep on his 50 in ENG vs IND 5th Test
Akash Deep’s cameo troubled England as he steadily built his innings, reaching 47 runs while India led by over 100 with eight wickets remaining. In the 38th over, he slogged a length ball from Gus Atkinson through the leg side for a boundary, helped by the absence of a deep square leg.
“Yes (Getting to 50 with a boundary was intentional), because their fine leg and square leg were up, so we knew that if the ball was on the legs, we could score some runs in that region. So my plan was that if the ball was in that area, I have to play it in the air in that gap,” Akash Deep said.
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