Akash Deep scored 66 and put on 107 for the third wicket with Yashasvi Jaiswal on day 3 of the fifth Test against England on August 2, 2025.
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A couple of days before the final Test, Akash Deep posted a picture of himself on social media, captioned: ‘Every ball counts — even in practice’.
And at The Oval on Saturday (August 2, 2025), he walked the talk, making every ball count — albeit with the bat. Coming in as a nightwatcher, Akash made the most of a reprieve and went on to score a gritty half-century.
He became the first Indian nightwatcher to register a fifty since Amit Mishra, who made 84 against England at the same ground in 2011. Mishra had also scored 50 against Bangladesh in 2010 while coming in as a nightwatcher. In fact Mishra and Akash are the only Indian nightwatchers to register a fifty in the 21st century.
When Akash walked out to bat at the fag end of the second day, India had lost two wickets and was in a tricky position. On a rather sunny third morning, Akash forged a crucial 107-run partnership for the third wicket with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and helped India go past the 150-run lead.
It was a test of character, and Akash looked at ease while facing the England pacers. As he reached his maiden fifty, he pumped his fist and pointed to the India crest. Jaiswal hugged him, while his teammates in the dressing room, too, were delighted. As they cheered for him from the balcony, Ravindra Jadeja gestured to him to take his helmet off to celebrate, but Akash did not.
He was caught by Gus Atkinson at backward point off Jamie Overton’s bowling with the total on 177. The right-hander’s 94-ball 66 included 12 hits to the fence.
This wasn’t the first time that Akash proved his mettle with the willow. In December last year, he forged a crucial 47-run partnership with Jasprit Bumrah for the last wicket as India went past the follow-on mark during the rain-marred Gabba Test, which ended in a draw.
Published – August 02, 2025 06:04 pm IST
