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Akash Deep’s 10-wicket haul and Shubman Gill’s 430-run masterclass powered India to a 336-run win at Edgbaston, leveling the series 1-1. Arun Lal hails both as exceptional.
Akash Deep finished with match figures of 10/187 (AP Photo)
Akash Deep shone brightly with a 10-wicket haul in India’s series-levelling 336-run victory over England at Edgbaston. He claimed 4/88 in the first innings and followed it up with a splendid 6/99 in the second, concluding with impressive match figures of 10/187. The 28-year-old pacer’s effort helped India draw level in the five-match series after losing the opener by five wickets at Leeds.
Former India cricketer Arun Lal was in awe of Akash Deep’s performance in the second Test against England at Birmingham, describing it as “absolutely special”.
“He was absolutely special,” Lal told PTI TV.
“There was never any doubt about his abilities. He was strong, hard-working… The only thing missing was self-belief. He’s now more confident, bowling smarter and with patience. He doesn’t go searching for a wicket every ball.”
“And the more belief he gains, the faster and better he’ll get. He can clock 145 kph and has that rare ability to break partnerships,” he noted.
Coming from a humble background, Akash Deep initially didn’t expect to don the national colours, Lal said.
“He didn’t really understand how good he was, and he didn’t think that he could play for India. I just wanted him to understand that this is just the beginning. ‘Ranji jeetna hai, India khelna hai, aur lamba India khelna hai’,” Lal added.
While Akash Deep grabbed headlines, young India skipper Shubman Gill showed his prowess, scoring 269 and 161 at Birmingham, taking his match aggregate to 430, the second-highest ever in Test history.
“I love Shubman as a cricketer, he is awesome but I never realised he was this good. I’m sure nobody else did either. He has unbelievable talent, unbelievable calm. It’s almost as though he knows what ball is coming before it’s bowled,” Lal said.
“He’s not an autopilot captain, which I admire. He listens, takes advice from (KL) Rahul, (Ravindra) Jadeja and others. His patience and self-assurance are rubbing off on the group. He’s going to be here for a long, long time.”
(With PTI Inputs)
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had …Read More
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had … Read More
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