A few days earlier than the ultimate Test, Akash Deep posted an image of himself on social media, captioned: ‘Every ball counts — even in practice’.
And at The Oval on Saturday (August 2, 2025), he walked the discuss, making each ball depend — albeit with the bat. Coming in as a nightwatcher, Akash made probably the most of a reprieve and went on to attain a gritty half-century.
He turned the primary Indian nightwatcher to register a fifty since Amit Mishra, who made 84 towards England on the identical floor in 2011. Mishra had additionally scored 50 towards Bangladesh in 2010 whereas coming in as a nightwatcher. In truth Mishra and Akash are the one Indian nightwatchers to register a fifty within the twenty first century.
When Akash walked out to bat on the fag finish of the second day, India had misplaced two wickets and was in a difficult place. On a reasonably sunny third morning, Akash solid a vital 107-run partnership for the third wicket with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and helped India go previous the 150-run lead.
It was a take a look at of character, and Akash checked out ease whereas going through the England pacers. As he reached his maiden fifty, he pumped his fist and pointed to the India crest. Jaiswal hugged him, whereas his teammates within the dressing room, too, had been delighted. As they cheered for him from the balcony, Ravindra Jadeja gestured to him to take his helmet off to have fun, however Akash didn’t.
He was caught by Gus Atkinson at backward level off Jamie Overton’s bowling with the overall on 177. The right-hander’s 94-ball 66 included 12 hits to the fence.
This wasn’t the primary time that Akash proved his mettle with the willow. In December final 12 months, he solid a vital 47-run partnership with Jasprit Bumrah for the final wicket as India went previous the follow-on mark in the course of the rain-marred Gabba Test, which resulted in a draw.
