Akash Deep Looks Back At Oval's Historic Heroics: 'Pressure Made Us Aggressive'
Akash Deep looked back on India's six-run win at The Oval hat tied the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at 2-2 as a test of belief, pressure and execution.
The Oval Test will be remembered as one of India's most hard-fought victories in recent memory, marked by a tense six-run win that levelled the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at 2-2.
For Akash Deep, the final day was a test of belief, pressure, and execution.
Recalling the mindset when India took the field on the last day of the final Test, Akash was quoted as saying on Revsportz, 'We were bowling on the second day when the wicket was not much help and there was no movement. Our belief was that England is such a team where if you can break partnerships and take 1-2 wickets, then they give you wickets in bunches, and come under pressure. The way they were playing, I felt it would have been very stressful for them to bat under pressure and win the match from there. So, our plan was to just bowl in the right areas and they were under pressure. So, overall it worked out."
The pressure intensified when England reached 301/3, chasing 374. In the Indian dressing room, the tension was palpable.
'Yes, it was intense and there was pressure. But I guess that pressure made us aggressive and the game turned out to be good for us. The pressure helped us focus and notice what was going on better. The crowd played a big part in the evening, as it totally changed – cheering for us after cheering for England before that. After playing for so long, the body was very tired but the crowd's energy gave us a lot of enthusiasm," Akash revealed.
What Is Akash Deep Talking About?
In the match, after England opted to bowl first, they reduced India to 153/6. A 58-run partnership between Karun Nair (57 off 109 balls, with eight fours) and Washington Sundar (26 off 55 balls, with three fours) was the most meaningful part of the inning as India was bundled out for 224 runs. Besides Gus Atkinson's five-wicket haul, Josh Tongue (3/57) also performed well.
In the second innings, four-wicket hauls from Siraj (4/86) and Prasidh Krishna (4/62) reduced England to 247, despite a 92-run opening stand between Zak Crawley (64 off 57 balls, with 14 fours) and Ben Duckett (43 off 38 balls, with five fours and two sixes), and a fifty by Harry Brook (53 off 64 balls, with five fours and a six). England led by 23 runs.
In India's second innings, key contributions came from Yashasvi Jaiswal (118 off 164 balls, with 14 fours and two sixes), Akash Deep (66 off 94 balls, with 12 fours), Ravindra Jadeja (53 off 77 balls, with five fours) and Washington Sundar (53 off 46 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes). Sundar stitched a very crucial 10th wicket stand with Krishna, with the latter scoring nothing and Sundar doing all the hitting.
These efforts took India to 396 runs, giving them a 373-run lead and setting a target of 374 runs for England to win the series.
India started well, reducing England to 106/3. However, fine centuries from Harry Brook (111 off 98 balls, with 14 fours and two sixes) and Joe Root (105 off 152 balls, with 12 fours) troubled India with a 195-run stand for the fourth wicket. At one point, England was 317/4 on day four. However, a late surge by Siraj (5/104) and Krishna (4/126) shifted the pressure back to England, and they fell six runs short, being bundled out for 367 runs.
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
News cricket Akash Deep Looks Back At Oval's Historic Heroics: 'Pressure Made Us Aggressive'
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
CSK have to trade R Ashwin and... for Sanju Samson: Chennai offered way out to enforce 'transition from MS Dhoni'
Former Chennai Super Kings star Robin Uthappa reacted to media reports claiming all was not well between Sanju Samson and Rajasthan Royals, prompting the captain to ask the franchise to release or trade him ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Uthappa said that, considering RR's decisions during the IPL 2025 season, Samson's reported move was always a writing on the wall. Sanju Samson is reportedly set to part ways with Rajasthan Royals(PTI) Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa pointed out that the Rajasthan Royals already have promising players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and Riyan Parag filling key batting positions. He questioned where that leaves Samson, suggesting the captain would likely be pushed down to the number four spot—a role he might not want, given that he opens for India. Uthappa further explained that the wicketkeeper-batter probably saw this as a 'writing on the wall,' especially with RR's tendency to back their youngsters. He added that Samson may be trying to stay ahead of the curve by seeking a move now, aiming to open elsewhere and maintain his spot at the top of India's batting order. Uthappa said: "They have both Yashasvi, who has done really well for them, and Suryavanshi has absolutely smacked it out of the park, and Riyan Parag likes to bat at number three. Where does that leave Sanju Samson? A number four spot. Would I want to bat at number four when I am opening for India? Absolutely not. From his perspective, he probably felt that perhaps that won't change at RR, and they back their youngsters, quite a bit, don't they?" "That has been the culture there at RR. So he probably sees it as a writing on the wall, perhaps, and so perhaps, he's trying to get a little bit ahead of the curve a little bit and say, 'let me move now' so that I can go elsewhere and open the batting and still vie for that position at the top of the order in the Indian team. So that's perhaps a small reasoning as well". Uthappa finds a way out for CSK Media reports on Samson's departure from Rajasthan Royals also revealed that Chennai Super Kings have openly expressed interest in signing the India star, viewing him as a perfect replacement for MS Dhoni. However, with Samson's current valuation at INR 18 crore, a trade deal might prove difficult. Just days after the Samson reports, speculation arose that Ravichandran Ashwin might part ways with CSK, fueling rumours of a potential trade between RR and Chennai involving the two players. Although Ashwin clarified why such a trade may not materialise—citing his contract being half Samson's value—Robin Uthappa suggested a solution. He proposed that if Chennai are serious about acquiring Samson, they could trade both Ashwin and Vijay Shankar in exchange for the India batter. "CSK for sure. If they are able to get him and if they are able to snap him up, then it'll do really well for him. I think the transition of MS Dhoni to the next wicketkeeper, they already have in Sanju, so that is already taken care of. Otherwise, they would have to look at, say, at this point, say Devon Conway as a wicketkeeping option. But if he comes onboard, there is a lot of good that can happen for CSK," he said. "What they don't have? They only have Shimron Hetmyer at six. They don't have a finisher at number six or seven. Maybe Sam Curran. Vijay Shankar could be the one who goes with Ashwin as well. That could happen. He's a pretty decent bowler, but they haven't utilised him." "I think perhaps Rajasthan also feel Sanju doesn't want to be there anymore, so if a player doesn't want to be there, why do we have to keep him? Give him what he wants. In that sense, I think it makes sense for them," Uthappa said.
The Hindu
4 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Udhayanidhi Stalin presents medals to winners of Asian Surfing Championship 2025
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday handed over prizes to winners of the Asian Surfing Championship 2025 that concluded in Mamallapuram. The Tamil Nadu government has been financially supporting this event for the past four years. The Deputy CM said that for the first time in Indian Surfing history, Indian surfer Ramesh Budihal won a medal at the Asian Surfing Championship. 'We are proud that, it happened on the shores of our own Tamil Nadu'. 'Our very own Kishore from Kovalam achieved the incredible feat of reaching the semifinals, while Srikanth, also from Kovalam, advanced to the quarterfinals. In the Under-18 Boys event, 13-year-old Harish, also from Kovalam, made it to the quarterfinals—an exceptional accomplishment for someone of his age. Beyond India's achievements, the championship showcased the world-class performances from across Asia,' Mr. Udhayanidhi said. Korea's Kanoa Heejae, 17, claimed a double crown by winning both the Men's Open and Boys Under-18 titles, the Deputy CM said. He also appreciated Japan's Anri Matsuno, who emerged as the Women's Open champion. This year's event brought together 112 surfers from 19 countries, supported by 60 officials, including 25 judges and event officials. Minister T.M. Anbarasan, legislators S.R. Raja, I. Karunanithi and senior officials were also present.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Illegal betting app case: Suresh Raina to appear before ED today
Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina is expected to appear before the Enforcement Directorate at its Delhi headquarters Wednesday morning after he was summoned by the agency in connection with the alleged illegal betting app-linked money laundering case. A source said Raina has been asked to depose before the agency on August 13 in an illegal betting case linked to an app named 1xBet. 'Once he deposes, ED is expected to record his statements under the PMLA,' the source said. The ED suspects that Raina has alleged links to the app through certain endorsements and now the ED officials are expected to understand that during the questioning. The agency is probing multiple such cases involving illegal betting apps that are alleged to have duped many people and investors.
