The Indian fast bowlers endured a challenging day at The Oval in London, struggling to make inroads against a determined English batting lineup. Early in the session before lunch, Mohammed Siraj was temporarily off the field receiving treatment, which meant the pace responsibilities fell to Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna. To mix things up, Indian skipper Shubman Gill even brought in Washington Sundar for a brief two-over spell before Siraj eventually returned to the attack.
Among the seamers, Akash Deep appeared to be having a particularly tough time. His rhythm seemed off, especially during a brief spell when Harry Brook played a few unconvincing but effective strokes. Akash’s line began to drift, and his discomfort was noticeable. He even left the field for a short period, likely to receive pain relief or a quick injection. Gill, clearly concerned, was heard checking on Akash’s condition before deciding to bring him back onto the field.
Unfortunately, Akash’s tough outing wasn’t limited to just bowling. In a crucial moment during England’s innings, Brook drove a delivery from Washington Sundar toward the boundary. Positioned deep in the field, Akash Deep had a straightforward opportunity to prevent the four. However, what followed was a puzzling lapse in judgment.
Akash appeared to attempt a rather awkward stop, seemingly trying to block the ball with his foot or ankle instead of diving or using his hands. He lost balance during the effort, and the ball slipped past him, rolling into the boundary. It wasn’t just a technical error — the entire sequence seemed to lack the urgency and clarity one would expect at this level of cricket.
Peak Indian cricket presented by Akash deep 😭pic.twitter.com/kp8OgvfSSi
— Hassan Abbasian (@HassanAbbasian) August 3, 2025
The blunder drew visible frustration from the team and disappointment from the fans. On a day when India needed sharpness and discipline to stay in the game, Akash’s misfield stood out as a reflection of their struggles. Whether it was due to physical discomfort or a momentary lapse, it was a moment both he and the team would want to quickly forget.