Akash Deep, who led the Indian pace attack with Shubman Gill’s team, isn’t sure if he’ll play in the third Test at Lord’s.
He played in the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham because Jasprit Bumrah was rested. Akash made a good case for himself by taking four wickets in the first innings.
He troubled the new ball alongside Mohammed Siraj on a batting-friendly surface. He got rid of Ben Duckett for a duck and then tricked Ollie Pope into a golden duck on the second day.
On the third day, Akash broke through Harry Brook’s defence to end the 303-run partnership that Brook had with Jamie Smith. Then he got Chris Woakes out to finish with 4/88. Even with his good performance and Bumrah’s expected return at Lord’s, it’s not certain if Akash will play there.
We have only two days left in this Test match and we need to win. Right now I am only focusing on winning this match. After that I will see. The team will decide whether I will play or not. I don’t know if I’ll play. The team will decide. We find out one day before the game, Akash told reporters after the day’s play.
Since his first game against England in Ranchi last February, Akash hasn’t had many chances. Before his good bowling at Edgbaston, he played two Tests in a series against Australia, twice in three home games against New Zealand and both games against Bangladesh.
Despite his irregular playing time, Akash is ready to take whatever chance he gets and said, I don’t think about that too much. I feel that when the team needs me, I have to be ready. I prepare for the time I get. And when I get a chance, I try to play with that attitude.
Read Also:- “One step at a time” and Victory shall find team India and Shubman Gill
While Akash troubled the England batsmen, Siraj was the standout with a six-wicket haul. Akash’s partnership with Siraj forced England to score 407 and concede a 180-run lead. The 28-year-old spoke about his conversations with Siraj on the field and how they worked together to get results.On the field we talked to each other about what was happening when I was bowling and what wasn’t. When Siraj was bowling we did the same. We agreed we had to keep the pressure and bowl as a team, he said.
Whether we get wickets or not we have to bowl in the right areas and not give away easy runs. That was our plan. It was easy for me because runs weren’t coming from either side and I could bowl freely, he added.
India finished the day well even though Yashavi Jaiswal’s 28-run innings ended early. KL Rahul cashed in on the good batting conditions in Birmingham and helped India reach 64/1 in 13 overs and added a lead of 247 runs
