During the second day of the intense fifth Test match between England and India at The Oval, Indian fast bowler Akash Deep made headlines not only for his bowling performance but also for a particularly animated gesture after dismissing England’s Ben Duckett. Akash Deep, after taking Duckett’s wicket, placed his arm around the batter’s shoulder while smiling, a move that drew criticism from former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. Ponting stated that he would have reacted with physical confrontation if faced with such behavior during his playing days.
Duckett, who had just scored a fierce 43 runs off 38 balls, fell to Akash Deep’s bowling for the fourth time in the series. Notably, this was the first instance where Duckett, who had been dominating earlier, was dismissed under these circumstances. Ponting was asked by Sky Sports presenter Ian Ward whether such a gesture warranted a physical response, to which he affirmed, but later softened his remarks by appreciating Duckett’s calm demeanor in the situation. He remarked on the unusual nature of the exchange in a fiercely contested Test match, suggesting that it resembled interactions more common in local park games than international cricket.
The match dynamics were dramatic, with 16 wickets tumbling on a pitch that proved challenging. Starting the day at 204 for six, India was bowled out for 224, while England built a quick start, reaching 92 runs in 13 overs before sagging to 247 all out. The day ended with India at 75 for 2, leading by 52 runs, with Yashasvi Jaiswal contributing an impressive unbeaten 51 runs. Both teams recognize the significance of this match as England holds a 2-1 lead in the series, making each session critical.
The exchange between Akash Deep and Ben Duckett, while criticized, reflects the spirit of competition and camaraderie found in the sport. While competitive tensions remain high, mutual respect among players can lend a unique character to matches like these.