In the annals of cricket, few roles are as unglamorous yet pivotal as that of the nightwatchman. Tasked with shielding the top-order batsmen from the perils of a late day’s play, the nightwatchman often walks into a cauldron of pressure, expected to survive rather than thrive. On August 2, 2025, at The Oval in London, Indian pacer Akash Deep redefined this role, transforming from a mere protector into an unlikely hero. His remarkable 66-run knock as a nightwatchman in the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England not only frustrated the hosts but also etched his name into cricketing folklore. This article delves into Akash Deep’s extraordinary performance, the context of the match, and the broader implications of his contribution to India’s fightback in a thrilling series decider.
The Stage: A High-Stakes Series Finale
The fifth Test at The Oval was the crescendo of an enthralling India-England series, part of the ICC World Test Championship 2027 cycle. With England leading 2-1 after four Tests, India faced a must-win scenario to level the series and keep their championship hopes alive. The series had been a rollercoaster, marked by dramatic shifts in momentum, fiery exchanges, and standout performances from both sides. England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach, led by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, had tested India’s resilience, while India, under the new leadership of Shubman Gill, showcased a blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned grit.
The match itself was poised on a knife-edge by the end of Day 2. India, bowled out for 224 in their first innings, trailed England’s 247 by 23 runs. The Indian seamers, including Akash Deep, had fought back admirably to restrict England’s lead, but the visitors found themselves at 70/2 in their second innings, with Sai Sudharsan and KL Rahul back in the pavilion. Enter Akash Deep, the fast bowler, as a nightwatchman—a role typically reserved for lower-order players to protect key batsmen from facing a fresh bowling attack in fading light. Little did anyone anticipate that this decision would spark one of the most memorable moments of the series.
Akash Deep: The Unlikely Batting Star
Akash Deep, a 28-year-old pacer from Bengal, was no stranger to pressure. Having made his mark in domestic cricket and earning a recall to the Test side after missing the fourth Test due to injury, he was primarily known for his fiery bowling. His inclusion in the fifth Test, replacing Anshul Kamboj, was a strategic move to bolster India’s pace attack alongside Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. However, his batting credentials were modest—his previous best in first-class cricket was a 53 off 18 balls for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, a swashbuckling effort that hinted at potential but hardly prepared anyone for what unfolded at The Oval.
Walking out to bat at the fag end of Day 2, with India in a precarious position, Akash’s brief was simple: survive the remaining two balls and protect captain Shubman Gill for the morning session. He did just that, seeing off the final overs under lights. But on Day 3, under a bright London sky, Akash Deep transformed the narrative. Partnering with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, he unleashed an audacious assault on England’s bowlers, defying the traditional nightwatchman’s defensive mindset.
A Morning of Mastery: The Century Partnership
The morning session of Day 3 was nothing short of a revelation. Akash Deep, batting at No. 4, began with a statement of intent, dispatching left-arm spinner Jacob Bethell for two boundaries in the first over of the day. This wasn’t the cautious prodding expected of a nightwatchman; it was a calculated counterattack. Alongside Jaiswal, who played a more measured role, Akash forged a 107-run partnership for the third wicket, the biggest of the match at that point. This stand not only erased India’s first-innings deficit but also swung the momentum decisively in their favor.
Akash’s innings was a blend of grit and flair. His 66 off 94 balls included 12 boundaries, each stroke a testament to his growing confidence. From crisp drives to powerful cuts, he punished loose deliveries with the poise of a top-order batsman. England, already reeling from the absence of Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes, were further hampered by their fielders’ profligacy. Akash survived two close calls in quick succession—an lbw appeal from Josh Tongue upheld as umpire’s call and a dropped catch by Zak Crawley at third slip. These reprieves allowed him to capitalize, reaching his maiden Test fifty off 70 balls with a boundary off Gus Atkinson, a moment that sparked wild celebrations in the Indian dressing room.
The Oval crowd, known for its appreciation of fine cricket, rose to applaud Akash as he pumped his fist, pointed to the Indian crest on his jersey, and raised his bat. Captain Shubman Gill, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and the entire team joined in, with Gambhir, known for his stoic demeanor, breaking into a rare smile. Even Ravindra Jadeja, gesturing for Akash to remove his helmet in celebration, couldn’t contain his delight. The nightwatchman had not only survived but thrived, becoming the first Indian nightwatchman to score a 50-plus score since Amit Mishra’s 84 at the same venue in 2011.
Historical Context: A Rare Feat
Akash Deep’s knock was not just a personal triumph but a historic one. His 66 is the second-highest score by an Indian nightwatchman in Tests, surpassed only by Mishra’s 84. Since 2000, only a handful of Indian nightwatchmen have registered significant scores, including Mishra’s 50 against Bangladesh in 2010, Irfan Pathan’s 46, and Murali Kartik’s 43. Akash’s performance outshone some of India’s batting stalwarts in England, as he now holds more 50-plus scores in the country than Shikhar Dhawan, Ravichandran Ashwin, and even Gautam Gambhir himself.
The century partnership with Jaiswal, who went on to score his sixth Test hundred, was the 18th hundred-run stand in the series, breaking the record for the most in any Test series this century, previously set during the 2003-04 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This statistic underscores the batting depth and resilience of both teams, but on this day, it was Akash Deep who stole the spotlight, proving that even a tailender could dictate terms against a formidable attack.
The Impact: Shifting the Momentum
Akash Deep’s innings was a turning point. By the time he was dismissed for 66, caught by Gus Atkinson off Jamie Overton’s short ball in the 43rd over, India had reached 177/3, with a lead of over 150 runs. Jaiswal, unbeaten on 85 at lunch, continued his commanding performance, eventually reaching 118. Contributions from Ravindra Jadeja (53) and Washington Sundar (53) further swelled India’s total to 396, setting England a daunting target of 374.
England’s bowlers, particularly their inexperienced seamers—Atkinson, Tongue, and Overton—struggled under the workload, bowling 79 of the 88 overs in India’s second innings. Six dropped catches, including Akash’s, compounded their woes, highlighting their exhaustion and lack of a specialist spinner. Akash’s aggressive batting wore them down, setting the stage for India’s bowlers to capitalize. Mohammed Siraj’s late strike, dismissing Zak Crawley with a searing yorker at stumps, left England at 50/1, needing 324 more runs with only eight wickets in hand (Chris Woakes was unlikely to bat due to injury).
Beyond the Numbers: A Moment of Sportsmanship
Akash Deep’s performance wasn’t limited to his batting heroics. His interactions with England’s Ben Duckett added a layer of intrigue to the narrative. On Day 2, Akash had dismissed Duckett and offered a controversial send-off, placing an arm around his shoulder, which drew criticism from pundits like Michael Atherton and Ravi Shastri. However, on Day 3, the two shared a heartwarming moment during an over change, exchanging smiles and a light-hearted hug, diffusing the earlier tension. This gesture, captured on camera, went viral, earning praise for its sportsmanship and reminding fans of cricket’s ability to foster camaraderie amidst fierce competition.
The Bigger Picture: India’s Depth and Akash’s Legacy
Akash Deep’s performance underscores India’s growing depth in talent. In a transitional phase following the retirement of senior players, the emergence of players like Akash, who can contribute with both bat and ball, is a significant asset. His 66 may not secure him a permanent batting slot, but it highlights the value of lower-order contributions in Test cricket’s modern era. His earlier heroics, such as a 47-run last-wicket stand with Jasprit Bumrah to save the follow-on in the Gabba Test of 2024, further cement his reputation as a clutch performer.
Social media erupted with memes and tributes, with fans and analysts hailing Akash as the “Knight Warrior” who turned the tide. Posts on X, including from the ICC and Star Sports, celebrated his fearless approach, while netizens like Mufaddal Vohra lauded his perfect execution of the nightwatchman’s role. This performance, coupled with his bowling contributions (including dismissing Duckett in England’s first innings), positions Akash as a rising star in India’s cricketing landscape.
A Nightwatchman’s Tale for the Ages
As the fifth Test heads into its final day, with England needing a near-miraculous chase and India hunting eight wickets, Akash Deep’s 66 remains the defining image of Day 3. His transformation from a defensive nightwatchman to an attacking hero not only steadied India’s innings but also shifted the match’s momentum. In a series defined by unpredictability, Akash Deep’s knock was a reminder that cricket’s beauty lies in its capacity for surprise. Whether India levels the series or England pulls off a historic chase, Akash Deep’s name will be etched in the memory of this Test, a testament to the enduring allure of the nightwatchman who dared to dream big.
