The second Test between India and England at Edgbaston reached a thrilling climax, with India securing a resounding 336-run victory to level the series. Among the standout performances, Akash Deep's bowling, particularly his dismissal of Joe Root in the second innings, has garnered special praise from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.
Tendulkar, known for his keen eye and insightful analysis, didn't hold back in his commendation of Akash Deep. He hailed the young bowler as the "standout bowler" of the match and described the delivery that uprooted Root's off-stump as the "ball of the series". Tendulkar took to social media platform 'X' to express his admiration for India's strategic approach, which aimed to dominate England and force them into a different style of play. He was particularly impressed by the length that the Indian bowlers consistently bowled.
Akash Deep's performance in the second innings was remarkable, as he claimed 6 wickets for 99 runs, contributing to a match haul of 10 wickets for 187 runs. Mohammed Siraj also played a vital role, taking seven wickets across both innings. However, it was Akash Deep's delivery to Root that became the talking point. The dismissal was a classic setup, with Akash Deep bowling from wide of the crease and angling the ball in towards off stump. Root, anticipating the ball to continue on that angle, closed the face of his bat. However, the ball nipped away sharply off the seam, completely deceiving Root and crashing into the top of off-stump.
Adding to the drama, the legality of Akash Deep's delivery to Joe Root has been debated. Some observers, including former England cricketer Alison Mitchell, suggested that Akash Deep's back foot may have touched or crossed the return crease during his delivery stride, potentially making it a no-ball. According to MCC Law 21.5.1, "the bowler's back foot must land within and not touching the return crease appertaining to his/her stated mode of delivery". However, others have pointed out that the crucial point is where the foot lands initially. Replays suggest that Akash Deep's foot landed within the return crease before his heel might have hovered over or touched the line. Therefore, the delivery was deemed legal. Former India selector Saba Karim humorously noted that Akash Deep had "cheated" Joe Root with the brilliant delivery.
Despite the debate surrounding the legality of the delivery, the dismissal of a high-caliber player like Joe Root underscored Akash Deep's skill and potential. The Edgbaston Test also saw valuable contributions from Shubman Gill, who led the team with the bat and in the field, as well as impactful performances from other players. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly lauded Shubman Gill and the team's overall performance. He noted that the Indian attack appeared superior to the English attack and praised the contributions of Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj.
