Day 3 of the fifth and final Test at The Oval witnessed an unexpected yet heartwarming moment between India’s Akash Deep and England’s Ben Duckett—two players who had made headlines for all the wrong reasons a day earlier. Akash Deep, who had walked in as a nightwatchman late on Day 2 with India in a tight spot at 70/2, surprised everyone with his gritty resilience at the crease.
Instead of merely surviving, the Indian pacer showed great composure, partnering brilliantly with Yashasvi Jaiswal to stitch together a vital 55-run stand. His unbeaten 32 off 50 balls not only pushed India’s lead to a healthy 128 but also wore down England’s bowlers in the process.
WATCH – Ravi Shastri and Michael Atherton React Strongly To Akash Deep’s Send-Off to Ben Duckett
But it wasn’t just his bat that drew attention on Day 3. A day earlier, Akash Deep had sparked controversy with his fiery send-off to Duckett after dismissing him for 43, complete with an arm over the shoulder and a few exchanged words.
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While the gesture seemed light-hearted to some, it was enough to raise eyebrows in the commentary box and across social media, with voices like Michael Atherton and Ravi Shastri weighing in on the potential breach of conduct.
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However, all that tension melted away on Day 3. In a touching moment captured by the cameras after the 28th over of England’s innings, Duckett and Akash were seen sharing a friendly laugh and even a brief hug. The exchange, full of smiles and mutual respect, has since gone viral, turning the page from controversy to camaraderie and earning praise for sportsmanship across the cricketing world.
Former England captain Michael Atherton did not hold back in his criticism of India’s young pacer Akash Deep following a contentious moment on Day 2 of the fifth and final Test at The Oval. The incident took place after Akash dismissed England opener Ben Duckett for 43, cutting short a promising start by the hosts. While the delivery was impressive, it was the post-wicket celebration that drew attention, and not all of it was positive.
