Team India pace bowler Akash Deep admitted that the lower-order were aware of their lack of contribution with the bat during the tour of England as well. The lack of contribution by bowlers with the bat cost the visitors in the series opener, where twin collapses across both innings led to a loss for India despite being dominant for most of the game at Headingley as well.

“We realised that the lower-order was not contributing for the team (with the bat), and it becomes important because if we even score 15,20, or 30 runs towards the end, then chances are that the team becomes a top side in Test cricket. So, when I was sent out as a night watchman, all of this was on my mind, and I realised that it was an excellent opportunity to stay out there and do something for the team,” Akash Deep said in an interview with RevSportz.

“My plan was to bat for as long as possible, was not thinking too much about runs, the time was the main focus, only that was going on in my mind. Then I observed that they were getting frustrated and trying too hard, and that is when I thought that there is a good chance to score some runs as well.” he further added.

However, his cameo slowly turned into a huge headache for England as he came to bat as the session progressed. And, he was up to 47 runs, while India were resting on a lead well over 100 runs with eight wickets in hand as well. During the 38th over, he managed to score a fifty.

“Yes (Getting to 50 with a boundary was intentional), because their fine leg and square leg were up, so we knew that if the ball was on the legs, we could score some runs in that region. So my plan was that if the ball was in that area, I have to play it in the air in that gap,” Akash Deep concluded.