ENG vs IND 2025: 'Stay out of the way' - Michael Atherton slams Akash Deep for his send-off to Ben Duckett on Day 2 of fifth test

Indian pacer Akash Deep’s send-off to England opener Ben Duckett on Day 2 of the fifth Test at The Oval grabbed significant attention, leading to criticism from former cricketers including Michael Atherton and Ravi Shastri.

India, after posting 224 in the first innings, bounced back brilliantly with the ball. England began well with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett providing an aggressive opening stand. Duckett smashed 43 off 38 balls, as he found boundaries with relative ease. However, he reportedly taunted Akash Deep, saying, “You cannot get me out in here.”

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Following which Akash Deep dismissed Duckett in the 13th over via a caught behind by Dhruv Jurel. The Indian pacer first pumped his fist in celebration and walked up to Duckett, placing an arm around his shoulder, and exchanged a few words. However, this gesture wasn't well taken by Atherton and Shastri.

"Can you imagine doing that to Viv Richards or any number? I would have hated that. If a bowler puts his arms around me, having just dismissed me stay out of the way. It's a serious point actually that, as I say, it seemed good natured and I like to give cricketers maximum leeway on the field because it is an emotional, passionate game. I like to see them getting stuck in. I don't like the match referees getting involved but it's a non-contact sport and something like that will end in problems. So I think the match referee has to stamp that out," he said on Sky Sports.

While Duckett showed no visible signs of agitation, the incident may still be considered a breach under ICC's Code of Conduct under Clause 2.12, which deals with inappropriate physical contact. Notably, KL Rahul’s intervened to pull Akash Deep away. Meanwhile, Shastri also gave his views on the incident, saying that there should be no physical contact 

"If Athers had put his hand around me getting me out, I’d have said, ‘Get out of the way! No, no physical contact. Because what it can lead to. I mean Duckett at that moment of time might have been thinking something else. Another player with a feisty temperament wouldn't have liked it and could have done something which he would have regretted. Just because it's being watched by millions around the globe and the match referee will be forced to take action because of the rules and the rulebook," he said.