Rohan Chowdhury at The Oval
The sky was clear over South London, but it was Akash Deep who soared above it all on a memorable Saturday morning at The Oval. Resuming at 75 for 2 with a slender lead of 52, India found an unlikely hero in the Bengal pacer, who walked in as a night-watchman the previous evening after Sai Sudharsan’s dismissal.
Akash brought life to the morning session with an innings brimming with grit and timing. He scored 66 off 94 balls, earning the loudest applause of the day — not from his own fans, but from the English crowd, who rose in appreciation as he walked back to the pavilion after his dismissal.
His effort was more than just a surprise contribution. It was a proper Test innings: 12 boundaries, thoughtful leaves, a commanding upper cut, and a calm temperament under pressure. He stitched together a crucial 107-run stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal, frustrating England’s bowlers and grinding down a ball that was already 18 overs old when the day began.
It wasn’t without its moments of fortune. He was dropped on 22 by Zak Crawley, England’s fourth missed chance in the innings—a lapse that visibly added to the hosts’ frustration. With Ben Stokes sidelined, Joe Root took charge of the field placements, often more animated than the designated skipper Ollie Pope.
England’s bowling plans lacked bite early on. Jacob Bethell opened, but it was clearly a move to switch ends for Gus Atkinson. Josh Tongue joined in from the other side, yet neither made immediate impact.
Jaiswal, who resumed on 52, paced himself calmly toward a potential century. Though he offered two chances and flirted with risk, his unbeaten 85 at lunch reflected maturity and determination.
But the spotlight was on to Akash. His innings wasn’t a fluke or a tail-ender’s lucky flourish. It was measured, calculated, and disciplined — well above his previous best of 31 in Brisbane. This knock, especially at a venue as historic as The Oval, will be remembered as a turning point in his young career.
The Indian balcony erupted as he reached his half-century, with skipper Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja urging him to raise his helmet — a moment to remember, and perhaps one that defines this series.
He becomes the first Indian night-watchman since Amit Mishra (84 in 2011) to score a fifty plus in test cricket. Mishra’s innings coincidentally came at the same venue against the same opponent.
With a 10-wicket haul at Edgbaston and now a spirited 66 here, Akash has announced himself not just as a bowler, but as a cricketer of rare resilience.
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