Key Highlights:
✔ Historic Fifty – Akash Deep smashes 66 runs, joining an elite list featuring Imran Khan & Shane Warne.
✔ Record Partnership – A 107-run stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal sets a new series milestone.
✔ From Nightwatchman to Star – Deep, with a modest first-class average, delivers a Test masterclass.
Akash Deep Joins Cricket’s Elite With Stunning Oval Performance
In a Test match already brimming with drama, Akash Deep carved his name into cricket folklore with a sensational maiden fifty on Day 4 of the fifth IND vs ENG Test at The Oval. The Indian nightwatchman, known more for his bowling, stunned fans with a 94-ball 66, forming a 107-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal to propel India’s lead to 166 runs by lunch.
A Rare Feat: Entering the Legends’ Club
Deep’s heroics weren’t just about runs—they etched his name alongside cricket royalty. He became only the 12th player ever to achieve both a ten-wicket haul and a fifty on an England tour, joining icons like Shane Warne, Imran Khan, and Richard Hadlee. What makes this even more astonishing? Before this Test, his first-class batting average was a mere 11.48—proving that miracles do happen in cricket.
Breaking Records, Defying Odds
- Fourth Indian at No.4 – Deep is now only the fourth Indian this century to score a Test fifty at No.4 in England, following Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill.
- First Since 2011 – He’s the first Indian nightwatchman to cross 50+ runs since Amit Mishra’s 84 at the same venue 13 years ago.
- Series Record – The Jaiswal-Deep stand became the 18th century partnership of this series, breaking the 2003-04 Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s record of 17.
From Edgbaston Hero to Oval Sensation
This isn’t Deep’s first headline-grabbing act. Just last month, his 10-wicket haul at Edgbaston powered India to a historic 336-run victory, setting a new benchmark for the best bowling figures by an Indian in England (10/187). Now, with the bat, he’s done it again—proving he’s no one-trick pony.
Match Context: India in Command
At stumps on Day 3, India stood at 75/2, with Jaiswal (51) and Deep (4) holding a 52-run lead. England had earlier posted 247, thanks to Zak Crawley (64) and Harry Brook (53), while Prasidh Krishna’s 4/62 kept India in the hunt.
As the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy reaches its climax, one thing is clear: Akash Deep isn’t just a support act—he’s the breakout star.
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