Akash Deep‘s fearless method as a nightwatchman within the Oval Take a look at in opposition to England proved to be a masterstroke. Despatched by India in throughout the waning minutes of Day 2, he defied conference by not simply surviving, however thriving. Within the morning session of Day 3, the 28-year-old repaid the workforce administration’s religion by smashing his maiden Take a look at fifty. Eschewing a purely defensive mindset, Deep performed to his pure strengths, punishing free deliveries with aggression and precision.
ENG vs IND: Akash Deep’s heroic maiden fifty at The Oval
Akash very important partnership with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for the third wicket was the cornerstone of India’s fightback. The milestone second arrived within the thirty eighth over when Deep dispatched a boundary off Gus Atkinson. The uncooked emotion was palpable: he pumped his fist, pointed proudly to the Indian crest on his jersey, and raised his bat to a roaring ovation. The celebration wasn’t restricted to the sector; as captain Shubman Gill took off his helmet and rushed to the balcony to applaud the momentous achievement.
Deep mixed with opener Jaiswal to forge a pivotal 107-run partnership, which was instrumental in serving to India erase their first-innings deficit and placing them in a commanding place to chase a series-leveling victory. This efficiency is second solely to the best rating by an Indian nightwatchman, Amit Mishra’s defiant 84 in opposition to England on the identical venue in 2011. Mishra’s knock was a show of sheer resilience, however it finally got here in a dropping trigger as India, following on within the third innings, ultimately succumbed to an innings and eight-run defeat.
High 5 highest scores by Indian nightwatchmen in Assessments since 2000
1) 84 – Amit Mishra v England, The Oval, 2011
Mishra’s distinctive innings of 84 is the best ever by an Indian nightwatchman in Take a look at cricket. It occurred throughout the fourth and last Take a look at of India’s disastrous 2011 tour of England. After being bundled out for a paltry 300 of their first innings, India was pressured to follow-on. Coming in on the shut of Day 3, Mishra, a real quantity 9 batter, displayed outstanding grit and approach. He batted for 146 balls, occupying the crease for over three hours, and struck 10 fours. His useful partnership with Sachin Tendulkar, who additionally scored a half-century, was a spotlight. Regardless of Mishra’s defiant knock, India was ultimately all out for 283, dropping the match by an innings and eight runs, finishing a 4-0 collection whitewash.
2) 66 – Akash Deep v England, The Oval, 2025
In a vital second throughout the fifth Take a look at of the 2025 collection in opposition to England, Akash produced a career-defining efficiency. Because the nightwatchman on Day 2, he walked out to bat with India in a precarious place. On Day 3, he pissed off the English bowlers with a spirited and aggressive knock of 66. His innings, which got here off simply 94 balls, included 12 fours and was instrumental in constructing a large 107-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal. This was his maiden Take a look at half-century and his highest rating in first-class cricket. His heroics not solely helped India erase the first-innings deficit but in addition put them in a commanding place to win the match and stage the collection.
Additionally READ: ENG vs IND – Would have punched Akash Deep for Ben Duckett-like ship off, admits Ricky Ponting
3) 50 – Amit Mishra v Bangladesh, Chattogram, 2010
Mishra makes a second look on this record with a well-crafted 50 in opposition to Bangladesh within the first Take a look at of the 2010 collection. With India having a first-innings lead, Mishra was despatched in as a nightwatchman and supplied much-needed stability to the center order. He got here to the crease after the dismissal of Virender Sehwag and constructed a strong partnership with Gautam Gambhir. He confronted 70 balls, hitting 6 fours, and his composed innings was very important in India setting a large goal. His fifty, alongside along with his 4 wickets within the second innings, earned him reward as India received the match by 113 runs.
4) 46 – Irfan Pathan v Australia, Perth, 2008
Irfan Pathan‘s 46 on the WACA in Perth in 2008 is remembered as a nightwatchman innings that was essential to one among India’s most memorable Take a look at victories. Batting in India’s second innings with a lead of 118 runs, Pathan was despatched in to see out the day. He confirmed immense braveness and composure, lasting 111 balls in opposition to a fearsome Australian tempo assault. His innings allowed the senior batsmen to relaxation and was key to India constructing a considerable lead that Australia couldn’t chase. Pathan’s all-round contribution, which additionally included a Man of the Match-winning efficiency with the ball, solidified his place in Take a look at cricket folklore.
5) 43 – Murali Kartik v Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2000
Murali Kartik’s innings of 43 was vital because it got here in Bangladesh’s inaugural Take a look at match in 2000. On a day the place India misplaced early wickets, Kartik was despatched in as a nightwatchman and supplied much-needed resilience. He confirmed immense persistence and focus, batting for 119 balls and putting 5 boundaries. His innings was very important in steadying the ship for India and constructing a platform for the center order. India went on to win the Take a look at match by 9 wickets, and Kartik’s courageous and unselfish knock performed a key position of their dominant efficiency.
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