Controversy Surrounds India's Decision to Send Night Watchman at Lord's Test

The fourth day of the Test match between India and England at Lord's has ignited discussions regarding the decision to send Akash Deep as a night watchman. With Rishabh Pant's batting preferences coming to light, former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shared insights that suggest Pant prefers not to bat in the final moments of play. This revelation has led to questions about the team's strategy and whether the batsmen are feeling pressure. As fans and experts weigh in, the controversy continues to unfold.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 14, 2025, 17:35 IST

Day Four of the Lord's Test: A Surprising Turn of Events

The conclusion of the fourth day of the Test match between India and England at Lord's has sparked considerable debate. Chasing a target of 193 runs, the Indian team ended the day with four wickets down, raising eyebrows particularly over the dismissal of Akash Deep, who was sent in as a night watchman.

The decision to send him in was intended to protect the main batsmen, but it has since come under scrutiny. Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a significant revelation regarding wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant in this context.

On July 13, during the fourth day of the match, India began their second innings poorly, losing three wickets quickly, including captain Shubman Gill. KL Rahul was at the crease, and the focus shifted to whether the team would send Rishabh Pant, as usual, or opt for a night watchman. Ultimately, Akash Deep was chosen, but he was dismissed in the final over of the day.

Ashwin's Insight on Pant's Batting Preferences

Following this, discussions erupted among experts and fans on social media about whether Indian batsmen were feeling intimidated, necessitating the use of a night watchman. Questions arose regarding why Pant was not sent in. In contrast to these speculations, Ashwin disclosed that Pant prefers not to bat in the last 30-40 minutes of play.

In a discussion on his YouTube channel, Ashwin recounted an incident from a Test match during India's tour of Bangladesh. As the day was nearing its end, India lost a wicket, and Pant told Rahul Dravid, 'I won't go out to bat.' With only 30-40 minutes left, when the next wicket fell, the team had to send Axar Patel instead, leading to Jaydev Unadkat being sent as the night watchman.

Ashwin also referenced a Test match against New Zealand last year, where after the dismissal of Virat Kohli, Pant was expected to bat, but the team opted for night watchman Mohammed Siraj instead. He reiterated that Pant's reluctance to bat in the final moments likely influenced the decision to send Akash Deep.