Akash Deep, who made his Test debut on Friday, put England in trouble early on in the first session of the first day at Ranchi. The home team currently leads 2-1 and will win the series if they win the fourth Test match.
He could have taken his maiden wicket past himself in the fourth over, but a no-ball ruled out that possibility. He responded in style in round 10, knocking out Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope. He then batted again in the 12th over, taking the crucial wicket of Zak Crawley.
Speaking after the first meeting. India legend Anil Kumble praised the 27-year-old and was impressed with Rahul Dravid’s selection strategy. Speaking as part of the broadcaster’s Match Centre, Kamble said: “The team management has really done that. When Bumrah is unavailable for this match, there is an option to pick fast bowlers. India have been better in this series so far. Always use two seamers and yes we all think the pitch is favourable, then maybe Axar Patel. But Akash does bowl very well. The pace with which he bowls It’s not that fast, and the area he bowls is really good. He bowls it with good length, and most of the time, the length kind of beats the batsmen, and that’s where they get beat.”
“On the face of it, stroke play is not easy. It’s what England batsmen are looking for. But hats off to Akash.
“I thought for a debutant, he bowled really well,” he added.
In the fourth round, he delivered a wonderful long pass to Crawley, who countered from around him. The ball went over the inside edge of Crawley and hit the stumps. The debutant jumped for joy, but it didn’t last long as the alarm sounded and there was a no-ball situation.
But he kept his composure and took his first wicket in the 10th over, this time a legitimate delivery. He delivered a long ball which was easily caught by Ben Duckett (11) over Dhruv Jurel.
He then removed Ollie Pope (0) in the same round, hitting him in front. For his third wicket, he sent Crawley (42) back to the pavilion in the 12th over. After the first session, England were in trouble at 112/5 in 24.1 overs.