Akash Deep scripts history, joins Irfan Pathan in elite list with valiant knock of 66 against England at Kennington Oval

Akash Deep, who was sent as a night-watchman by India during their second innings of the Oval Test against England, ended up playing a sensational knock of 66. He had gotten dropped by the hostst on 20 and ended up making the most out of this opportunity and punished the opposing bowlers. 

The India pacer's inning was laced with a total of 12 boundaries and at times he was even seeen dominating against England bowling attack. The likes of Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton failed to have any sort of impact against Akash, who went on to bring up his first-ever half-century in Test cricket.

Akash's inning of 66 was the second-best knock played by a night-watchman for India in Test cricket since 2000. He only feel 19-run short of breaking the record held by Amit Mishra with his knock of 84 against England in 2011.

Here is the full list of the record - 

1. Amit Mishra - 84 vs England, 2011

2. Akash Deep - 66 vs England, 2025

3. Amit Mishra vs Bangladesh, 2010

4. Irfan Pathan - 46 vs Australia, 2008

5. Murali Kartik - 43 vs Bangladesh, 2000

Akash Deep's knock of 66 is now his career-best score in Test cricket, surpassing his previous best of 31. The inning was nothing short of heroic and also saw him form a brilliant 107-run stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal. The partnership took India's total over the 150-run mark and their lead over the 100-run mark.  

Before his valiant knock, Akash hadn't been able to contribute much with the ball in England's first innings. Though he did pick up the massive wicket of Ben Duckett, he also ended up leaking 80 runs in his 17-over spell. He will definitely be looking to improve in the all-important final innings of the match at Kennington Oval.