Cheteshwar Pujara and Jasprit Bumrah (Source: @cheteshwar1/X.com, @BCCI/X.com)
Out-of-favour Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara is highly impressed with Indian pacer Akash Deep in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence. Calling him a perfect replacement in the second Test against England, Pujara believes the pacer stepped up to the occasion to help India to a massive victory.
Pujara Highly Impressed With Akash Deep's Bowling
Cheteshwar Pujara, who has largely been out of favour with the Indian side for the past few years, is currently donning the hat of a commentator, as he has been regularly making his opinions heard with the mic. Speaking to BBC Test Match Special, Pujara has been highly impressed by Indian pacer Akash Deep's bowling in the ongoing second Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
It is worth noting that Jasprit Bumrah, the main Indian pacer, was rested for this game, and in his place, Akash Deep was brought into the side and has impressed one and all with his lethal bowling in both innings. First claiming a four-fer in the first innings, he came back strongly again with the ball, picking a six-fer to dismantle the English side. He said:
"Akash Deep has been so impressive this Test. He's really stepped up when Jasprit Bumrah hasn't been here. He's bowled such great lines and the right length pretty much every time."
Pujara mentioned that Akash has been quite fantastic, as he has been one of India's main bowlers in this game. Akash has stepped up in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, and in fact, bowled boldly with discipline and consistency in both innings, with line and length pretty much accurate, according to the veteran Indian batter.
India Claim Resounding Victory In Birmingham
Making history in Birmingham, the Indian side claimed their first-ever win at Edgbaston, having previously suffered seven losses and a draw. With a mammoth 336-run win, the Indian team rewrote history.
It must also be noted that Shubman Gill, as India's skipper, has been the hero, with 269 in the first innings and 161 in the second, giving India a solid boost with the bat, while Akash Deep has claimed a total of ten wickets with the ball, where Mohammed Siraj has partnered him brilliantly with six wickets in the first innings and a single wicket in the second.