• Home
  • Match Hub
  • 6 6 W Akash Deep Takes Revenge From Jamie Smith As Pacer Bags Maiden Test Fifer

6, 6, W! Akash Deep Takes Revenge From Jamie Smith As Pacer Bags Maiden Test Fifer

Anurag Dasgupta

Akash Deep fifer [Source: AP Photo] Akash Deep fifer [Source: AP Photo]

Eyebrows were raised when Akash Deep replaced Jasprit Bumrah in the India playing XI for the Edgbaston Test match, however, the seamer silenced his critics with a performance of a lifetime to hand India their maiden win at this ground. Team India had never won a Test here but Akash Deep bagged a five-wicket haul and has taken India on the doorsteps of a historic win.

After a convincing performance in the first innings (4/88), the Bengal seamer once again became England's tormentor as he scalped his maiden fifer to take India on the verge of victory. Throughout the game, the England batters failed to read him but Jamie Smith was an exception. The England keeper looked sharp against Akash Deep and nullified his threat, until the Indian bowler brought out his secret delivery.

Smith goes big but Akash Deep has the last laugh

In the 56th over, Smith decided to unleash a barrage of sixes against Akash Deep as the English keeper smacked him for two back-to-back big hits. 

Any other bowler in the world would have been rattled by the onslaught but the Indian bowler had some other plans. On the third ball, Smith once again went for a big shot but this time, the right-armer delivered an off-cutter as the batter miscued the pull shot and was holed out at deep backward square.

This was a big wicket in the context of the match as the Surrey batter stood like a brick wall in front of India and Akash Deep delivered the killer blow to dismiss him and take the revenge for getting smacked for two sixes.

Akash Deep's maiden Test fifer

Before this Test match, the Indian bowler's best figures in Tests were 3/83, which ironically came against England, last year. However, in this game, the pacer scalped 4 wickets in the first innings to stun the hosts and then captured his maiden five-wicket haul to cement his place for the next Test. This was also his first-ever Test match in England and the pacer bagged the feat in his maiden outing.