Shubman Gill and KL Rahul Praise Akash Deep’s Gritty Knock Under Pressure on Day 3 at The Oval.
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Akash Deep Shines as Nightwatchman, Leaves England Reeling
Nightwatchman Akash Deep stunned England with a counterattacking maiden Test fifty on Day 3 of the Oval Test, powering India into a commanding position. Showing no signs of caution, Akash played with fearless intent, striking a boundary in the very first over and going after England’s pacers with aggression.
His spirited 66 off 94 balls, featuring bold strokeplay and a 107-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, lifted India to 396 in their second innings—setting England a daunting 374-run target. England closed Day 3 at 50/1.
Akash’s batting became the highlight of the day, earning praise from teammates. Captain Shubman Gill made a playful jab, saying, “Batters always tell bowlers to contribute. I think Akash has given us a great reply today!”
Akash’s fearless knock not only gave India momentum but also reminded everyone that even a nightwatchman can be a game-changer.
‘I didn’t want to get out’
Nightwatchman Akash Deep’s bold innings on Day 3 of the Oval Test not only rattled England but also revealed a deeper layer of mental preparation. In the same post-match video where teammates praised his fearless strokeplay, Akash shared the mindset behind his gritty half-century.
He added how much the team’s needs shaped his approach. “When the team needed me to stay out there, I had a 100+ partnership with Jaisu (Yashasvi Jaiswal). That is very special for me.”
Akash’s mental toughness and selfless intent stood out, especially for a player sent in just to shield the top order. His clarity of thought and commitment under pressure turned what could have been a brief cameo into one of the most talked-about moments of the match.