Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a bold statement ahead of the third Test between India and England at Lord's.
He has spoken in favour of Akash Deep, the Indian pacer who took 10 wickets at Edgbaston and played a key role in India's series-levelling victory.
The Bengal pacer took 10 wickets in the match and shared a total of 17 wickets along with Mohammed Siraj to bowl India to victory in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
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In a conversation with senior journalist Vimal Kumar in his own YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin said that Akash Deep should have been given the Player Of The Match at Edgbaston.
"This will be a big statement but I think Akash Deep should have gotten the Player of the Match award on a surface like that," Ashwin said.
Shubman Gill, the Indian Test skipper scored 269 runs in the first innings and 161 runs in the second innings and ended with 430 runs in the match. Gill has now scored the most runs by an Indian batter in a Test match.
Meanwhile, with the criticism surrounding India's bowling in the first Test, Akash Deep, replacing Jasprit Bumrah took 4 wickets for 88 runs in the first innings and then followed it up with a splendid 6 wickets for 99 runs in the second innings to return with impressive match figures of 10 wickets for 187 runs. In the process, he registered the best figures by an Indian bowler against England in England.
After the Test match, Akash Deep dedicated his performance to his ailing sister, who is suffering from cancer. He said that she is doing better and is hopeful of recovering soon.
Also Read:Â MCC states Akash Deep's delivery to Castle Joe Root was legal
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Akash Deep Likely To Keep His Place At Lord's
After his heroics with the ball, the Bengal pacer is expected to retain his place in the XI for the third Test at Lord's.
