ENG vs IND : Akash Deep gives Ben Duckett a send-off after his dismissal in the Oval Test

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England and India produced high drama on Day 2 of the Oval Test, with Akash Deep at the center of the action as he dismissed England opener Ben Duckett, sparking discussion both on and off the field due to his striking send-off gesture.

After England’s bowlers, led by Gus Atkinson, restricted India to 224 in their first innings, England’s openers Duckett and Zak Crawley responded in aggressive fashion, rattling up a rapid 92-run stand before lunch. Duckett, who looked in sublime touch with a brisk 43 off 38 balls—including five fours and two sixes—appeared poised to seize the advantage for England when Akash Deep, returning to the Indian XI for the decider, broke through with a crucial wicket.

Duckett, constantly unsettling India’s lines with inventive shotmaking, attempted a reverse scoop off Akash Deep—a shot that had yielded runs earlier in the morning. This time, however, he only managed a faint edge to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, who completed the catch to give India their first wicket of the day. The breakthrough moment not only ended Duckett’s threatening innings but also momentarily reduced England’s scoring tempo, providing some respite to the Indian bowlers.

But it was Akash Deep’s exuberant celebration that quickly trended on social media and became a talking point. After securing Duckett’s wicket, Deep strode purposefully up to the England opener, engaged in a brief animated exchange, and then put his arm around Duckett’s shoulder in what many interpreted as a pointed send-off. The gesture drew mixed reactions online—some fans called it unnecessary provocation, while others saw it as competitive spirit befitting the high stakes of a competitive Test series.

KL Rahul, India’s senior wicketkeeper, was quick to intervene and gently pulled Deep away from Duckett, deescalating any chance of further confrontation. Duckett, for his part, maintained composure and did not react physically, walking back toward the pavilion as tempers cooled on the turf.

The incident underscored the intensity of this England-India series, with both sides seeking to establish dominance in the final Test. Akash Deep’s performance drew further scrutiny, as his economy rate was over six per over at the time of Duckett’s dismissal, prompting debate over whether the heated send-off was warranted with England’s batsmen in the ascendancy.

Despite India’s early struggles, Akash Deep’s wicket provided a glimmer of hope—reminding the crowd that individual confrontations and moments of psychological gamesmanship remain integral to the rivalry’s enduring appeal.