WATCH: Akash Deep breathes fire, castles Ollie Pope’s stumps as India close in on victory in Edgbaston Test

by

New Delhi: Team India pacer Akash Deep once again breathed fire with the ball on Day 5 of the second Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Saturday. He struck early in the first session to get rid of Ollie Pope cheaply after a delayed start due to rain on the final day of the Test match. Akash Deep bowled a brilliant delivery to castle the England batter’s stumps, drawing the first blood for India on Day 5.

Rain led to a delay of 1 hour and 40 minutes in the start of play on Day 5 with India requiring only 7 wickets to win the 2nd Test, having reduced the hosts to 72/3 at stumps on Day 4. Akash Deep got India off to a flying start on the final day with the early wicket of Pope. He bowled a back of length delivery around off, which nipped in after landing and rolled onto the stumps after hitting Pope’s low elbow.

Pope completely misjudged the length as his defence was breached by Akash Deep, with the ball hitting his right elbow before dragging onto the stumps. The England batter was dismissed cheaply on 24 off 50 balls, putting India in the driver’s seat in the Edgbaston Test.

Watch Akash Deep castles Ollie Pope’s stumps in 2nd Test:

Akash Deep didn’t stop there as he returned to bag the important wicket of Harry Brook in his next over. The Indian pacer trapped Brook with a nip-backer, which swung in sharply to take the England batter by surprise. It was yet another exceptional delivery from the Indian pacer as Brook was sent packing on 23 off 31 balls after wasting a review for England.

Akash Deep puts India on brink of memorable victory in 2nd Test