In the fifth Test at The Oval, England’s Josh Tongue admitted that Akashdeep, India’s night-watchman, had upset the home side’s plans during Day 3. Akashdeep, who came to bat on Day 2, played a remarkable innings, scoring 66 runs off 94 balls. This innings, which featured 12 boundaries, was a game-changer, leaving the England bowlers frustrated.
Akashdeep’s excellent batting not only added crucial runs but also shifted the balance of the game towards India. The English team anticipated Akashdeep’s stay at the crease to be short-lived, but he exceeded expectations by building a 107-run partnership with the young Indian batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Tongue, during a press conference, revealed the team’s disappointment at Akashdeep’s performance. He stated that the team’s objective was to dismiss Akashdeep as swiftly as possible. Tongue also shared insights into their bowling strategy against India’s strong batting lineup.
With his maiden half-century in Test cricket, Akashdeep joined an exclusive list. He became the fourth Indian player to reach a Test fifty while batting at number four. Additionally, he is only the 12th player to achieve both a half-century and a ten-wicket haul on a single tour of England.