Akash Deep comes under fire for his animated send-off to Ben Duckett
The contest hangs in the balance after two days of action in the final Test at the Oval. The stakes are high, but the intensity is even higher in the fifth and final India vs England Test. So far, the fixture has seen the visitors shedding their earlier reputation of merely 'reacting' to the hosts’ antics. The Indian team, particularly the pacers, seems to have taken the driving seat, actively attempting to get under the skin of the English lineup. Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna headlined Day 2 of the Oval Test with their on-field demeanor during England’s second innings. While Prasidh's exchange with Joe Root appears to have been cleared, Akash Deep has come under scrutiny for his send-off to Ben Duckett.
Ricky Ponting criticises Akash Deep for his send-off to Ben Duckett in the Oval Test
A bowler putting his arm around opposing batter with a smile would be listed at the bottom of the list of incidents that can be termed instigating. However, the perception chances when the gesture happens immediately after dismissing that batter in the heat of a tightly contested Test match. The cricketer at the center of this unusual moment is Akash Deep. The Indian pacer's interaction with England’s Ben Duckett in the final India vs England Test at the Oval has become a flashpoint of discussion.
The incident unfolded during the 13th over of England's innings in the Oval Test. Duckett, attempting one of his trademark reverse ramps, edged the ball straight to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. It marked the fourth time Akash Deep had dismissed the English left-hander. Before his dismissal, Duckett had taken the attack to Akash Deep, striking four boundaries and a six in a rapid 43 off 38 balls.
Although Akash Deep ultimately got the better of Duckett, it was what followed the dismissal that raised eyebrows. Instead of a traditional celebration, the pacer walked up, draped an arm over Duckett’s shoulder, and appeared to offer a few words. The moment, caught on camera, didn't sit well with several former cricketers. Ricky Ponting, Michael Atherton, and Dinesh Karthik all disapproved of the gesture, seeing it as unnecessary and possibly provocative. Ponting, in particular, didn’t hold back. He remarked that, had something similar happened to him during his playing days, he might not have hesitated to respond with a punch.
"I can think of a few batsmen down the years that would take umbrage at this, and I'm looking very much in your direction. That would have been a Ponting right hook, wouldn't it?" asked sports presenter Ian Warnd. "Probably yeah, probably," replied Ponting.
Interestingly, Ben Duckett didn’t share the sentiment of Ponting. While Duckett did not look thrilled either, the batsman remained composed as he returned without retaliating to whatever Akash Deep said to him. Ponting later admitted that his admiration for Duckett grew after seeing how calmly the batter handled the situation.
"I mean, you don't see that every day, maybe in a local park game or not in a test match that's been played as fiercely as this series has been played. I love the way that Ben Duckett plays his cricket. I think I like him more now to not to be able to react to that," Ponting said.
Although Ben Duckett has been painted in a positive light for not reacting to Akash Deep’s instigation, the English batter had his moment. England wrapped up their innings with a narrow 23-run lead after Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj, with four wickets each, triggered a collapse. As India came out to bat again at the Oval, the English team took aim at the young Sai Sudharsan. Duckett initiated the sledging tirade against Sudharsan, who is playing in his debut Test series. Soon after, the entire English team swarmed in, targeting the Indian batter.
The India vs England series has played out intensely, with both sides engaging in heated banter. Placing a specific team on moral high ground cannot be considered a balanced evaluation of the events in the series. That said, the Oval Test hangs in the balance, and another spell of fiery action is eagerly awaited. Day 2 ended with India at 75/2, holding a 52-run lead over the hosts in the final Test.
Akash Deep was sent out by India as a nightwatchman in the last session of Day 2 after England dismissed Sai Sudharsan. The seamer held his ground well to conclude the day's play, partnering with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Akash Deep and Ben Duckett met again on Day 3, this time with the bat in the Indian's hand. The seamer re-enacted his antics from the day before, putting his arm around Duckett once again. Only this time, Duckett didn’t appear as hostile, smiling along with Akash Deep. Interestingly, the Indian pacer went on to put an impressive show with the bat at the Oval, scoring a half-century in the crucial fixture.
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