In the fifth Test at The Oval, England’s Josh Tongue acknowledged the impact of India’s Akashdeep, who disrupted the game with his impressive batting. Akashdeep, who came to bat on Day 2, played a pivotal innings, scoring 66 runs off 94 balls, featuring 12 boundaries. His innings turned the tide, creating significant difficulties for the English bowlers. Akashdeep’s exceptional batting not only provided crucial runs for India but also tilted the game’s momentum in their favor. The English team expected Akashdeep’s innings to be short-lived, but he surprised them by forging a 107-run partnership with young Indian batter Yashasvi Jaiswal. Tongue revealed the team’s disappointment in the press conference and their strategic approach to dismiss Akashdeep. He mentioned the team’s plan of striving to bowl the best possible ball in each delivery. Akashdeep’s maiden half-century in the Test format placed him among the top Indian cricketers. He became the fourth Indian player to reach a Test fifty while batting at the number four position. Additionally, he is the 12th player to accomplish a half-century and a ten-wicket haul in a single tour of England.
