Akash Deep led India’s pace attack with grace for Shubman Gill’s team. He isn’t sure if he’ll be in the final lineup for the third Test of the five-match series at Lord’s. He played in the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham because Jasprit Bumrah was rested to manage his workload.
In Bumrah’s absence, Akash made a strong impression by taking four important wickets in the first innings. He caused problems with the new ball, bowling alongside Mohammed Siraj on a batting-friendly pitch. He dismissed Ben Duckett for a duck and then got Ollie Pope out for a duck on the second day. On the third day, Akash broke through Harry Brook’s defense and broke the 303-run partnership that Brook had with Jamie Smith. He then got Chris Woakes out to finish with 4/88. Even with his good performance and Bumrah’s return confirmed at Lord’s, Akash’s chance of playing at Lord’s is uncertain.
We only have two days left in this Test match, and it’s very important for us to win. So, I’m not thinking about the third match. I need to focus on these two days. After that, I’ll think about it. The team will decide if I play or not. I don’t know if I’ll play. The team decides. We find out the day before the game, Akash told reporters after the day’s play.
Since his debut against England in Ranchi last February, Akash hasn’t had many opportunities. Before his strong performance at Edgbaston, he played two Tests in a series against Australia, twice in three home games against New Zealand, and in both games against Bangladesh. Akash remains ready to take any chance he gets.
I don’t think about it that way. I feel like when the team needs me, I have to be ready. I don’t worry about getting consistent chances. I prepare for the time I get, and I try to play my best whenever I get a chance.
While Akash troubled England’s batters, Siraj stood out with a six-wicket haul. Akash’s partnership with Siraj helped India restrict England to 407. The 28-year-old talked about his conversations with Siraj on the field and the strategies they used.
We talked to each other on the field about what was working and what wasn’t, and we agreed that we needed to keep the pressure on and bowl as a pair, he said. Whether we got wickets or not, we had to bowl in the right areas and not give away easy runs. That was our plan, which made it easier for me because the runs weren’t flowing from either end, and I could bowl freely.
India finished the third day in a good position, even after Yashavi Jaiswal’s quick innings ended early. KL Rahul took advantage of the good batting conditions in Birmingham, helping India reach 64/1 in 13 overs and extending India’s lead to 244 runs.