• Source:JND

England vs India 5th Test: Akash Deep provided the first and much-needed breakthrough for India after England came up with an incredible intent to attack the bowlers and were off to a remarkable start in their first innings as Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett stepped up again.

Crawley and Duckett unleashed a counter-attack and were dealing boundaries, stitching a 92-run opening stand in no time. However, Akash Deep had the final laugh as he finally dismissed the left-handed batter Duckett for 43 on the fifth ball of the 13th over. Duckett lost his wicket in trying to go for yet another reverse scoop. He edged the delivery to the keeper Dhruv Jurel.

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This is the fourth time Akash Deep has dismissed Duckett in Tests. The Indian pacer first did a fist pump and then put his arm around Ben Duckett's shoulder. He also had a few words with him as the left-handed batter continued to head towards the pavilion. KL Rahul then came close towards Akash Deep to pull him away. This celebration was not aggressive, but it might just draw the attention of the match referee.

Former cricketers Michael Atherton and Dinesh Karthik, who were on commentary at the time, did not appreciate Akash Deep's celebration as they asked the pacer to remain cautious.

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"He's given Duckett a bit of a send-off, which is probably unnecessary, but it's the wicket that India desperately wanted. How many times did a bowler put his arm around after dismissing you, DK?," said Atherton.

On the other hand, Dinesh Karthik said, "I'm not sure if this is the right way to send off a batter, especially after you've got him out. Not many batsmen would behave the way Ben Duckett did, or rather did. It looked like they knew each other really well."

The battle seemed to have unfolded during the fourth over of England's first innings when Akash Deep appealed for an LBW against Duckett. India went for DRS, but Duckett survived as the ball was going way above the stumps. On the fifth delivery, an awkward bounce on the ball took a bit of Duckett's gloves but ended up falling short in front of Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar.

While Duckett survived again, Akash Deep had a word with him. The instance might have irked the England opener, who shifted gears and smashed an outrageous six off the reverse scoop on the final delivery of that over.

Duckett smashed Akash Deep for three boundaries in the sixth over, but the Indian pacer created pressure on him with four dot balls in the 13th over and ended up removing the left-hander on the fifth delivery.

Earlier, India were bowled out for 224 runs in their first innings after being put into bat first with Karun Nair (57) being their top run-getter. Gus Atkinson was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts with five wickets for 33 runs, while Josh Tongue found three scalps.