Akash Deep created quite a buzz in the cricket fraternity by putting his hand on Ben Duckett's shoulder after dismissing the southpaw in the fifth Test
at The Oval between India and England. The Bengal seamer had a smile on his face and was seen saying something to the England opener.
This unique send-off was criticised by some fans as well as experts. A few of them praised Duckett for maintaining his composure.
Deep recently explained what went on behind his infamous send-off. The 28-year-old said that he has dismissed Duckett quite a few times in international cricket. However, the left-handed batter told him that he won't be able to get him out on that particular day. Duckett also played some outrageous shots to rattle Deep's lines and lengths. However, the right-arm speedster didn't lose focus and got the better of the veteran batter.
“I have a good record against Duckett and have got him out a few times. I have always fancied my chances against the left-handers and he is no different. On that day, he was trying to throw me off my line and length and had played a number of unconventional shots. That’s when he said to me that it was his day and I will not be able to get him out,” said Deep while speaking to RevSportz.
“The truth is, if a batter moves around the pitch and plays these shots, your line and length does get impacted, for you don’t really know what he will do next. That’s what was happening. Also, England were off to a quick start and we needed a wicket," he added.
This time, I win: Akash Deep
Duckett smashed 43 off 38 deliveries as England raced to 92 inside 13 overs when Deep gave India a much-needed breakthrough. The latter said that after dismissing Duckett, he told him that he wasn't going to win every time. The Dehri-born clarified that there was no malice behind his remarks.
“We were defending a modest score and wickets were critical. When I got him out (smiles), I said to him: ‘You miss, I hit. Not always will you win. This time, I win’. It was a continuation of what he was saying to me, and it was all done in good spirit,” said the speedster.
Deep scored a brilliant 66 in India's second innings to help India set England a target of 374. The Three Lions were bowled out for 367 as India won by six runs and squared the series at 2-2.
