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"Not A Local Park Game": Akash Deep Would Have Received A Punch From Ricky Ponting

Arnav Chopra

Ben Duckett, Akash Deep and Ricky Ponting (Source: @englandcricket, @ICC/X.com)Ben Duckett, Akash Deep and Ricky Ponting (Source: @englandcricket, @ICC/X.com)

In a game where fine margins matter, India and England have been at loggerheads. In the ongoing fifth Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Akash Deep gave a send-off to English batter Ben Duckett.

Ponting Reacts To Akash Deep's Celebration

England were cruising at the start of the innings with a 92-run partnership between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett when the latter departed after Akash Deep got him to edge one to the keeper for 43.

India were down and out, and what followed was a reaction from pacer Akash Deep, who gave him a send-off right in his face and then wrapped his arm around his shoulder, which received some mixed reactions from the cricketing community.

Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports during the break, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting wasn't too impressed by Akash Deep's gesture.

Asked by fellow commentator Ian Ward if he would have taken offence to that and reacted in a way, Ponting confirmed that he would have punched Akash Deep had he been in the place of Duckett.

"I can think of a few batsmen down the years that would take umbrage at this, and I'm looking very much in your direction. That would have been a Ponting right hook, wouldn't it?" Ian Ward questioned Ricky Ponting on Sky Sports.


"Probably yeah, probably," Ponting replied back.

Ponting In Awe Of Duckett's Calm Composure

Further speaking, Ricky Ponting appreciated Ben Duckett's calm composure, even after getting that reaction. Ponting was quite impressed by Duckett not reacting to what Akash did to him, but was also quite impressed by the fact that both of them probably had some good words to share while walking out.

"Although I mean, when I saw it, I just thought they must have been mates or played against each other somewhere or together. I would like to have something like that. I mean, you don't see that every day, maybe in a local park game or not in a Test match that's been played as fiercely as this series has been played. I love the way that Ben Duckett plays his cricket. I think I like him more now to not to be able to react to that," Ponting concluded.

The game is at the edge, as India, after getting bowled out for 224, came back strong as they then knocked over the home side for 247, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna picking four wickets apiece.

Further, the visitors then played the remaining 18 overs in the day and scored 75 runs for the loss of two wickets, as by the end of day 2, they earned a lead of 52 runs.