The fifth Test between England and India at The Oval has sparked controversy, with Indian seamer Akash Deep facing criticism for his send-off to England's Ben Duckett. Following Duckett's dismissal, Akash Deep put his arm around Duckett's shoulder and exchanged words, which some observers deemed inappropriate. Separately, Indian captain Shubman Gill is under scrutiny for his perceived reluctance to trust his bowlers, specifically Washington Sundar, during the series.
Akash Deep's send-off to Ben Duckett occurred on Day 2 of the Test. After dismissing Duckett, who had raced to 43 off 38 balls, Akash Deep made physical contact with the departing batsman, placing his hand on Duckett's shoulder while speaking to him. KL Rahul intervened, pulling Akash Deep away from Duckett. The incident has divided opinions, with some fans and former cricketers like Michael Atherton and Dinesh Karthik criticizing Akash Deep's actions as unnecessary and "crossing a line". Atherton questioned the need for the send-off, while Karthik wondered how often bowlers had put their arm around him after dismissing him. Social media users also criticized Akash Deep for his "disgraceful reaction".
Under Article 2.12 of the ICC's playing conditions, inappropriate physical contact during an international match is prohibited. This includes deliberately, recklessly, or negligently walking or running into or shouldering another player. While Akash Deep's actions were not overtly aggressive, the ICC may still deem the contact inappropriate, potentially leading to sanctions. It remains to be seen whether the match referee will take action against the Indian pacer.
The dismissal itself was the culmination of an enthralling battle between Akash Deep and Duckett. Earlier in the over, Duckett had reverse-scooped Akash Deep for six, but the bowler eventually had his revenge, with Duckett edging another attempted reverse scoop to the keeper.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill's captaincy has come under scrutiny, particularly his handling of the bowling attack. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has criticized Gill for not trusting his spinners enough, especially Washington Sundar. In the fourth Test in Manchester, Gill waited until the 68th over to bring Sundar into the attack, despite England being well-positioned at 306 for two. Shastri argued that Gill should have utilized Sundar, who had a strong performance in the second innings at Lord's, picking up four wickets. Shastri said that Gill needed to trust his spinners more.
Gill's reluctance to use Sundar has raised questions about his faith in his bowlers and his tactical acumen. Some observers felt that Sundar's introduction was delayed, even though he showed promise in the few overs he bowled before lunch. This incident adds to the ongoing debate about Gill's captaincy and his ability to make optimal decisions under pressure.
These incidents highlight the pressures and controversies that can arise during high-stakes Test matches. While Akash Deep's send-off has been deemed excessive by some, Gill's captaincy decisions have also been questioned, raising broader discussions about on-field behavior and leadership in cricket.
