Ashish Nehra, Shubman Gill and Akash Deep (Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @BCCI/X.com)
During the second day of the fifth Test between England and India, the major talking point has been the altercation between Ben Duckett and Akash Deep. Speaking on the incident, former Indian cricketer Ashish Nehra expressed his displeasure over Akash Deep's celebration.
Ashish Nehra Advises Shubman Gill To Talk To His Bowlers
England were cruising at one stage with 92 runs on the board as openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett smashed the Indian bowlers in the first half of the innings. As India was bowled out for 224, England were way ahead in the game when Akash Deep broke the opening stand by dismissing Duckett.
However, what followed was a heated reaction, as Akash celebrated right in Duckett's face and then followed up with some words while walking him up to the pavilion with his arm wrapped around his shoulder.
On the Sony Sports Network's Hindi program, former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja was furious over Akash's reaction after dismissing Duckett. Jadeja was cautioning Akash about his wild celebration that, according to him, did not mean much as India were far behind England in the game, and he did not understand the context of the game while celebrating the wicket.
Referring to Jadeja’s comments, former Indian pacer and current coach of Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Ashish Nehra was, at first, quite amused by Jadeja as he jokingly mentioned why Akash Deep should be fined for showing love, as he was only talking to Duckett.
“A fine for showing love?” Nehra jokingly said.
Nehra further commented that those sitting in the box don't understand what was actually happening between Akash and Duckett, as there must have been some kind of back and forth between them, which they really don't know.
“Sitting here, we don’t know if there was some consistent back-and-forth with them across the series that caused Akash Deep to do this," he said.
He then mentioned the fact that it wasn't really a send-off, whereas he commented that he wanted Indian and GT skipper Shubman Gill to take more responsibility as a captain, and, according to him, whatever things Ajay Jadeja said should have been said by Shubman Gill to his bowler Akash Deep during the heat of the moment. He additionally reckoned that Gill should be the one getting angry, not Jadeja.
“This is not even really a send-off. In fact, the captain should say to the bowler all these things Ajay has mentioned. He should be the one getting angry with the game situation,” he further mentioned.
When asked if he should be fined, Nehra clearly mentioned that there is no reason for him to be fined, as this was not a verbal send-off.
“I don’t think he should be fined,” Nehra concluded.
India Ahead After Solid Bowling Display
After getting rattled by the English bowlers and being bowled out for 224, Indian bowlers came back strong courtesy of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, who took four wickets each, respectively, knocking England over for 247, as they could only gather a lead of 23 runs.
By the end of the day's play, India were having 75 runs on the board for the loss of two wickets with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Akash Deep at the crease, as the visitors led by 52 runs.
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