Indian pacer Akash Deep grabbed attention after a heated moment with England opener Ben Duckett in the last Test of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy at London’s Kennington Oval.
The incident happened on Day 2 of the match and quickly became one of the most talked-about events of the series.
How the Incident Happened
While Duckett was batting, Akash Deep delivered a quick ball that led to his dismissal.Instead of celebrating from a distance, as most bowlers do, Akash walked straight up to Duckett.
He placed his arm over Duckett’s shoulder and seemed to speak a few words to him.Some television viewers and fans at the ground thought it was a friendly gesture between two competitive players.
However, many others felt it was unnecessary and too personal especially in a game where physical contact between opponents is rare. Cricket has long been known as a sport where players are expected to show respect to each other, even in heated moments.
Reaction from the Cricket World
Former cricketers and experts quickly took notice of the incident.
Former England captain Mike Atherton said the send-off was "unnecessary" and went against the traditions of the game.He reminded players that cricket is a non-contact sport and that wicket celebrations should not make the dismissed batter uncomfortable.
Marcus Trescothick, England’s batting coach, spoke out against the incident. He said there was “no reason” for a bowler to get so close to a batter who was already walking off the field.He stressed that celebrations should remain professional and respectful.
KL Rahul Steps In
On the field, the situation could have become worse if not for a quick move from Indian vice-captain KL Rahul.
Rahul came between the two players and gently pulled Akash away before any further exchange could happen.
This cooled things down and prevented the moment from turning into a bigger confrontation.
What Ben Duckett’s Coach Said
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not given any penalty or taken action against Akash Deep for what happened.
But James Knott, who coaches Ben Duckett, believes the ICC should take action to set the right example.
Knott said:
“Such behaviour should be discouraged so younger players understand the right way to celebrate. While it doesn’t personally bother me, there needs to be proper discipline on the field.”
Change in Mood Between Players
Interestingly, the next day, fans saw a completely different scene. During a change of ends, Akash and Duckett shook hands and even shared a friendly hug. This showed there were no hard feelings between them personally.
However, the debate about whether Akash’s send-off was right or wrong continued among fans and media.
Player Performances in the Series
Despite the incident, both players had strong performances in the series.Ben Duckett was one of England’s top performers.
- He scored 462 runs in the series.
- He averaged 51.33 runs per innings.
- He had an impressive strike rate of 82.94.
Duckett played aggressive cricket throughout the series, even when England switched to a more defensive style in the later matches.
He is known for his attacking shots and unique style, including playing square of the wicket and sweeping on both sides.
Akash Deep also made a big impact for India.
His wicket of Duckett in the fifth Test was a key moment for the team.In earlier matches too, he had shown the ability to trouble England’s top-order batters.