Akash Deep's Fiery Spell at Edgbaston Sets Up Thrilling Finale

Test cricket is defined by fight. The same can be said of India at Edgbaston. A kind of dogged determination that lights up a series and lives in fan memory for years on end. And that’s what the Indian team was lacking in Leeds. The tail for example wasn’t doing much and it was hurting India. More with the English lower order looking strong, the contribution from the middle and lower middle order had assumed enormous significance. Or if we look at it the other way, the bowlers needed to step up and make sure that the opposition's tail did not wag.

When India was batting on post tea on day 4, there were a lot of murmurs going round. Wasn’t 550 enough was the question being asked? Is there enough time for India’s bowlers to bowl England out in the second innings? Are the bowlers good enough to orchestrate another top order collapse?

That’s when Siraj and Akash Deep paired up. No panic and in fact enjoying the challenge. Duckett and Crawley tried to come hard but neither bowler flinched an inch. When Crawley erred, Siraj smelt blood. It was a loose shot and Sai Sudarshan, who has been practicing taking catches behind the wicket, made no mistake. Soon after Akash Deep got into the act. A brilliant delivery that came into Duckett, he had started to bowl like a man possessed. And as India started to close in, the English started to feel the tension. Akash Deep bowled a long spell and one could sense something would give. The great Joe Root was never comfortable and it seemed a matter of time. That’s when Akash Deep produced what Morne Morkel described as the dream ball that castled Root and the entire dressing room was starting to get excited.

It was a picture postcard moment for Akash. He patted himself on the chest and seemed all pumped up. Siraj on the other hand was the true leader. From speaking to Akash Deep to keeping a calm demeanour, he knew what India needed and at every step urged Akash to stay calm and carry on. Akash Deep, however, was determined to rub it in. He could have had Brook had the mistimed shot to midwicket not evaded Siraj by a few inches.

While the match isn’t over yet, the truth is India will now fancy a win from here on. Much like the Siraj-Shardul heist in Brisbane in 2021, the Siraj-Akash Deep partnership at Edgbaston has set up this Test match and also the series. In 2021, India came back to win in Brisbane and seal the series. Time will tell what will happen this time round.