Team India’s lower-order batter Akash Deep received an unexpected but heartwarming standing ovation from the crowd during the second innings of the second Test match against New Zealand. This moment came after he finally got off the mark with his first run in the second innings at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Saturday.
Chasing a daunting target of 359 runs, the Indian team stumbled early when captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a mere eight runs. While Yashasvi Jaiswal initially provided a glimmer of hope with his impressive batting, the rest of the lineup struggled to cope with the relentless New Zealand bowling attack after Jaiswal’s departure.
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Akash Deep walked to the crease when the situation looked dire for the home team, which was struggling at 206-8. Despite the challenging circumstances, he managed to form a brief partnership with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, adding 23 runs for the ninth wicket. What made this moment memorable was that it took Akash Deep a total of 23 balls to score his first run, prompting the crowd to acknowledge his perseverance with a standing ovation.
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However, his joy was short-lived. Akash Deep was dismissed on the very next ball he faced after scoring that single run. Attempting to play an aggressive shot against left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, he misconnected, and the ball went straight to Rachin Ravindra, who was positioned at long-on, marking a disappointing end to his innings.
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In the final stages of the match, Jasprit Bumrah came in to bat at No. 11, scoring an unbeaten 10 runs off just four balls, which included one four and one six. Ultimately, Jadeja was the last batter to be dismissed in India’s second innings. This loss not only sealed the match for New Zealand but also marked the first time India lost a home Test series since their defeat to England in 2012, a significant moment that sent shockwaves through the Indian cricketing community.
