England’s fast bowler Josh Tongue expressed frustration regarding India’s night-watchman Akashdeep’s performance on Day 3 of the fifth Test at The Oval. Akashdeep, who came in to bat on Day 2, played a significant innings, scoring 66 runs off 94 balls, including 12 boundaries. His performance significantly shifted the momentum, leaving the English bowlers struggling. Akashdeep’s crucial batting not only added vital runs for India but also disrupted the English strategy. The English team had anticipated a brief stay at the crease for Akashdeep; however, he surprised them by forming a 107-run partnership with young Indian batter Yashasvi Jaiswal. Tongue revealed in a press conference that the English team was eager to dismiss Deep quickly and discussed their bowling strategy to counter India’s strong batting lineup. Tongue mentioned the team’s approach of focusing on bowling their best ball consistently. Akashdeep’s maiden half-century in Test cricket placed him in an elite group, making him the fourth Indian player to score a Test fifty while batting at number four. He also became the 12th player in history to achieve a half-century and a ten-wicket haul during a single tour of England.
