IND vs ENG 2024: Akash Deep gets maiden Test wicket denied due to no-ball, scalps three quick wickets in response

After grinding hard for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy for several years, Akash Deep finally cracked the India code and received his debut cap in the fourth Test against England in Ranchi. Indian head coach Rahul Dravid handed him his cap, marking the end of his wait to represent the national side on February 23.

Akash had a dream start as he struck early, picking up the wicket of Zak Crawley. The England opener was bamboozled as his off-stump went for a walk. However, the third umpire cut his celebration midway after buzzing the no-ball siren in Ranchi. Crawley marched his way back to the crease as Akash looked disappointed.

However, he didn’t have to wait long for his debut wicket. Soon after the incident, Akash picked up the wickets of Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope within the space of three balls. Both Duckett and Pope are the leading run-scorers for England in the ongoing Test and picking up their wickets would have certainly given the debutant immense bouts of confidence.

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When it comes to Duckett, the opener nicked the ball behind as wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel completed a simple catch. He walked back after scoring 11 runs off 21 deliveries as the visitors were reduced to 47/1. Two balls later, Pope got out to a brilliant in-swinger. Batting at number three, the 26-year-old marched down the ground as the ball hit his pads and went for a boundary, with the umpire ruling leg-byes. The on-field umpire, Rod Tucker, was convinced it was not out but Jurel immediately sprinted towards Rohit Sharma and convinced him to review the on-field decision.

The Indian skipper called for DRS to intervene as it ended up showing all three reds. Pope was given out as he walked back without opening his tally. However, the drama didn’t quite end there. On the very next ball, Joe Root could have been on his way as the ball hit his pads. Tucker once again ruled not-out. Jurel, this time confirmed that the ball indeed hit the pad first, but the impact was outside the line of the stimps. However, Rohit opted for the DRS only to lose a review.

Akash didn’t get demotivated, and soon picked up the wicket of Crawley, hitting the top of off-stump once again, courtesy of an absolute peach of a delivery which seamed back into the right-hand batter quite substantially.

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