Akash Deep Achieves Historic Four-Wicket Haul in England Test
Akash Deep Joins Elite Bowling Ranks
Indian fast bowler Akash Deep has made history by becoming the fifth bowler to achieve a four-wicket haul in both innings of a Test match in England.
The 28-year-old accomplished this remarkable feat during the second Test against England held in Birmingham on Sunday.
In the second innings on the fifth day, Akash quickly dismissed Ollie Pope and Harry Brook, finishing the session with figures of 4/58. Earlier, he had taken 4/88 in the first innings, causing significant trouble for the English batsmen with the new ball.
Akash Deep's Historic Achievement
With this performance, Akash Deep joins an exclusive group that includes Chetan Sharma (4/130 & 6/58 in Birmingham, 1986), Zaheer Khan (4/59 & 5/75 in Nottingham, 2007), Jasprit Bumrah (4/46 & 5/64 in Nottingham, 2021), and Mohammed Siraj (4/88 & 4/44 at Lord's, 2021).
Historically, whenever an Indian pacer has taken four wickets in both innings in England, the team has never lost, with matches ending in draws for Bumrah and Chetan, while Siraj and Zaheer's performances led to victories.
Day 5 Highlights
Continuing his impressive form, Deep struck twice in the first session of Day 5, as England reached 153/6 at lunch in the second Test against India at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Washington Sundar also made a crucial contribution by dismissing Ben Stokes just before lunch, leaving England at six wickets down. At the end of the session, Jamie Smith remained unbeaten on 32, with England needing 455 runs for victory.
England's Challenge
Starting Day 5 at 72/3, England required 556 runs to win, with Harry Brook and Ollie Pope at the crease on scores of 15 and 24, respectively. India aimed to take seven wickets on the final day to level the five-match series at 1-1.
Play commenced after a nearly two-hour rain delay, with 80 overs scheduled for the day. Akash Deep's opening spell was particularly effective, as he dismissed both overnight batsmen, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook.
Stokes and Smith Stabilize England
England's captain Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith formed a vital 50-run partnership for the sixth wicket in the 35th over, with Stokes hitting a four off Siraj.
Just before lunch, Washington Sundar took the crucial wicket of Stokes, who scored 33 runs off 73 balls, including six boundaries.
England won the toss and chose to bowl first. India scored 587 runs, highlighted by Shubman Gill's historic double century. Mohammed Siraj took six wickets as India bowled out England for 407, securing a first-innings lead of 180 runs.
India declared their second innings at 427, setting a daunting target of 608 for England, with Shubman Gill contributing another century.
Match Summary
Brief score: India: 587 (Shubman Gill 269, Ravindra Jadeja 89, Shoaib Bashir 3/167) vs England: 407 (Jamie Smith 184*, Harry Brook 158; Mohammed Siraj 6/70). India 427/6 declared (Shubman Gill 161, Ravindra Jadeja 69*; 2/119) England 153/6 (Ben Stokes 33, Jamie Smith 32*; Akash Deep 4/58).