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India cricket team drew the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2 series against England. Akash Deep’s all-round effort led to a six-run win at The Oval.
Akash Deep celebrates after completing his half-century. (Picture Credit: AP)
Shubman Gill’s India secured the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with an unforgettable 2-2 series draw, culminating in a dramatic finale at The Oval. England, chasing 374, appeared on track for a 3-1 series win thanks to Harry Brook and Joe Root’s partnership, until Mohammed Siraj intervened with a brilliant performance, claiming five wickets and securing a thrilling six-run victory in front of an ecstatic crowd.
While Siraj deservedly took the spotlight, Akash Deep’s all-round performance was equally crucial. Known for his bowling, the pacer surprised everyone with his batting skills. Sent in as a nightwatchman on Day 3, he not only survived the evening session but returned on Day 4 to score an impressive 66 off 94 balls, which included 12 boundaries. His maiden Test fifty brought joy to the Indian camp, with Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir visibly thrilled. Ravindra Jadeja encouraged him to raise his bat and relish the applause.
In an interview with Aaj Tak, Akash shared the mindset behind his innings.
“I never play my cricket based on hope. I promised myself at night that I would not get out. I made this commitment. I decided not to play a rash shot,” Akash Deep was quoted as saying.
“If a good ball got me out, there was no issue with that, as these things can happen in cricket. If I didn’t score any runs, I was fine with it. My aim was just to stay at the crease. I had this motivation, and this made batting easier,” he added.
What Did Akash Deep Say About 5th Test At The Oval?
Heading into Day 5, India needed four wickets while England required just 35 runs. Akash reflected on the turning point of the match, saying, “It was an important match. We were trailing 1-2 in the series. We had played well in the series but we were behind. The wicket seemed flat in the Oval Test but later, the pitch started doing something.”
“The crowd was behind us, it was then that we had the belief of pulling off a win. We were talking that England would lose wickets in a heap and this is what exactly happened,” Akash Deep added.
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha… Read More
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