(Video) Akash Deep and Ben Duckett Keep Wholesome Send-Off Tradition Alive

Aside from his gritty second-innings half-century, Akash Deep has only taken one wicket so far in the fifth Test, which he claimed in the first innings.

(Video) Akash Deep and Ben Duckett Keep Wholesome Send-Off Tradition Alive

Ben Duckett put his arm around Akash Deep's shoulders, during the third day of the fifth Test at the Oval. (via Sky Sports)

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In a reversal of roles, English opener Ben Duckett kept the send-off tradition alive between himself and Akash Deep on the third day of the final Test. Following the Indian pacer’s brilliant batting display in the second innings, Duckett approached him and put his arm around his shoulder.

Akash Deep had wreaked havoc in the second Test at Edgbaston by claiming a career-high ten-wicket haul. He once again grabbed attention, this time however, for his surprising batting display at the Oval. Promoted up the order to bat at number four, ahead of even captain Shubman Gill, Akash Deep justified the trust placed in him by smashing 66 runs off 94 balls, including 12 fours, leaving everyone in awe.

He and Yashasvi Jaiswal put together an massive 107-run partnership for the third wicket, with Akash Deep completing his maiden Test half-century. As India’s makeshift number four, he did justice to the role and earned praise not only from his team but also from the opponents as well as the fans at the Oval. Akash Deep’s impressive run came to an end in the 43rd over, when he was dismissed by Jamie Overton.

Overton delivered a short ball on middle-leg, which Akash Deep confidently hit in the air. However, the ball instead took a leading edge and lobbed up towards point, where Gus Atkinson leaped forward to take a catch. Akash Deep received a standing ovation from the crowd and his teammates for his memorable knock. Furthermore, he also earned an unexpected show of admiration from England’s Ben Duckett.

As he was walking off the crease, Duckett turned the moment into a wholesome one by keeping the send-off tradition alive, this time by putting his arm across Akash Deep’s shoulder. It seems that Duckett put an end to any perceived enmity between the two, later going on to hug the Indian pacer in admiration for his brilliant batting display. They shared a laugh and chatted for a while, concluding their on-field rivalry.

Akash Deep’s actions on Day 2 towards Ben Duckett had previously caused a major controversy, as the Indian pacer was criticized for his unnecessary antics. After taking the opener’s wicket in the 14th over of England’s first innings, Akash Deep first celebrated with a fist pump and then surprisingly walked up to the departing batter, putting his arm around his shoulder, before being pulled away by KL Rahul.

However, any animosity now seems to have been resolved with Duckett’s show of appreciation. Following Akash Deep’s dismissal, Yashasvi Jaiswal went on to complete his second hundred of the ongoing series, putting India on track for a strong second-innings total.

Akash Deep Joins Elite List of Players with Ten-Wicket Haul and a Fifty on England Tour

After completing his maiden Test half-century, Akash Deep has now joined an elite list of players who have both taken a ten-wicket haul and scored a fifty in a Test series in England. The surprising decision to promote Akash Deep to the no. 4 spot in the batting lineup, clearly paid off.

Akash Deep Fifty Record
Akash Deep scored a brilliant fifty against England at the Oval, etching his name in record book. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

The 28-year-old became only the 12th player in Test cricket history to achieve this feat, joining legends like Shane Warne, Imran Khan, and Richard Hadlee. Akash Deep, who has a batting average of just 11.64, also became the fourth Indian player since 2000 to score a Test fifty in England while batting at the no. 4 spot, putting him in the company of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill.

Furthermore, the 28-year-old became the first night-watchman since Amit Mishra, who scored 84 runs against England at the same venue in 2011, to score more than 50 runs. Akash Deep now has a total of 163 runs in his Test career for India.