The fourth match of the ongoing red-ball series between India and England began on Friday, February 23, at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. Ahead of the Test, the BCCI had announced that ace pacer and vice captain Jasprit Bumrah would be rested for the game, citing workload management reasons. As a result, young pacer Akash Deep received his maiden call-up and made his debut for the Rohit Sharma-led side.
Aakash Deep was presented his India cap before the toss by head coach Rahul Dravid, and that is when the seamer realized his dreams turned to reality. His mother was also present on the field during the moment, and both engaged in a heart-warming moment after he wore the cap. Deep was seen touching his mother’s feet and took her blessings. They both hugged each other and shared an emotional moment.
Aakash Deep nearly strikes early on debut
Winning the toss, England’s skipper Ben Stokes invited India to bowl first. Mohammed Siraj, who is leading India’s pace attack, opened the bowling, while Aakash Deep took charge from the other end.
In just the second over he bowled, the seam movement and early morning conditions helped the pacer, as he rattled the timber of Zak Crawley, as the ball went past the bat-pad gap. Deep’s excitement for his maiden wicket didn’t last long, as the siren which went off shortly suggested that the bowler had overstepped, and thus, the ball was adjudged as a no ball.
In the first 5 overs, the English batters started off quite sedately, as the ball assisted the pace duo well. However, once the ball gets older, the batters will be hoping to unleash their ‘Bazball’ style of play. Thus, it will be interesting to see if Crawley and Ben Duckett are able to see off the first session on Day 1, or whether the Indians will ensure being on top by striking with a wicket or two.
Aakash Deep’s dream debut reduces England to 112 for 5 at Lunch on Day 1.
Akash Deep made an instant impact with the ball after Ben Stokes chose to bat on a pitch that already has cracks at both ends and is expected to help the spinners. Akash sent opener Zak Crawley’s off-stump cartwheeling in his second over but his celebration for his first Test wicket was cut short when the no-ball siren sounded. The Indian pacer quickly overcame his disappointment, striking twice in three balls. Akash dismissed Ben Duckett caught behind for 11 with an angled delivery that elicited a tentative prod from the opener.
Akash was overjoyed as he waited for confirmation that he had not overstepped and beat his chest in celebration. Two balls later, Ollie Pope stepped out but was rapped on his pad. The England vice-captain was initially ruled not out, but India reviewed the decision and dismissed him lbw. Crawley did not look comfortable against Akash’s lively pace, but he had no qualms about going after Mohammed Siraj, hitting him for three fours in a row and then a huge six. Enter Akash, who finished Crawley’s run-a-ball 42 by hitting the top of his off-stump
This immaculate bowling by the debutant Aakash Deep in his first innings of international red ball cricket made it a memorable one which impressed the likes of Former Indian cricketer now commentator Aakash Chopra who had words of praise for the young rookie debutant.
It’s not easy for a fast bowler to make his debut in India- Aakash Chopra on Akash Deep’s debut
Aakash Chopra has lauded Akash Deep for making an impressive debut in the fourth Test between India and England in Ranchi. The Bengal seamer picked up three wickets with the new ball to reduce England to 57/3 after 11.5 overs in their first innings on Day 1 (Friday, February 23). However, Joe Root’s unbeaten 106 helped the visitors recover to 302/7 by Stumps.
During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Chopra praised Aakash Deep for outperforming the more experienced Mohammed Siraj. He elaborated:
“It’s not easy for a fast bowler to make his debut in India. The pace at which he bowled, it didn’t seem like he was making his debut. Somehow you feel that a debutant would have some nerves and if you are bowling with a senior bowler, you remain in his shadow.
“If you were not told who was the debutant between them, you might have said it’s Mohammed Siraj’s debut because the way Akash Deep bowled, he might have been playing always. It speaks volumes,” the former India opener added.
Deep picked up three wickets in his first spell and eventually finished with figures of 3/70 in 17 overs. Although Siraj returned figures of 2/60 in 13 overs, he went wicketless and conceded 43 runs in his first six overs.
“He bowled amazingly well with the new ball” – Aakash Chopra on Aakash Deep
Aakash Chopra was particularly appreciative of Akash Deep’s spell with the new ball. He said:
“He bowled amazingly well with the new ball. There was sideways movement. The ball was coming in consistently after pitching. He was bowling at nearly 140 kph continuously. The three wickets he took were proper wickets.”
The reputed commentator noted that Deep dismissed Ben Duckett Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley with excellent deliveries.
“If you see Ben Duckett’s wicket, he went around the stumps, took the ball away, and got the outside edge. Leg-before was already playing on Ollie Pope’s mind and because of that, he was stepping out on just his second ball. He got Zak Crawley out twice in the same fashion,” Chopra stated.
Deep had Duckett caught behind by Dhruv Jurel off the second ball of his fifth over. He dismissed Pope leg-before-wicket two deliveries later, with the on-field umpire’s initial not-out decision being reversed on review.
The debutant earlier castled Crawley in his second over but was denied his maiden wicket as he had overstepped. However, he eventually bowled the opener in his sixth over to complete his three-wicket haul. This dream debut atleast in the first innings gave a bright signs that India’s fast bowling future is immaculate and in safe hands.