It was tough day for Indian pacers as England’s Joe Root and Harry Brook dug in their heels in the middle. The missed chance by Mohammed Siraj to dismiss Brook on the boundary off Prasidh Krishna’s bowling turned out to be costly for the visitors. More so, Gill did not trust his spinners – Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja – enough to introduce them early or give them longer spells, leading to increased workload on three pacers available. Akash Deep was hit by Brook’s right leg with a straight drive which led to him leaving the field. During the second session, Gill was enquiring whether Deep had taken a painkiller injection as he wanted to rotate his seamers.
"Injection liya kya tum?" Gill asked.
Later, Deep broke the fourth wicket partnership with Brook's wicket in the 63rd over. He went for a shot over covers but lost control of his bat. Siraj took an easy catch as India got the breakthrough. Brook departed after scoring 11 runs from just 98 balls. He shared a 195-run partnership with Root.
Deep’s workload in Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy
In England’s run chase, Deep has bowled 20 overs, including four maidens and conceded 85 runs. He did not play the previous Test due to a groin injury. So far, Deep has bowled just over 109 overs in the series. He has 13 wickets at an average of 36.46.
Morkel backs Deep to come back stronger on Day 5
After Day 4’s play, India bowling coach Morne Morkel defended Deep who had a drop in pace. Morkel backs the 28-year-old to do well on Day 5 as India need four wickets to win with 35 runs to defend.
“It’s been a long series. He gives 100% every time he runs in. Today he didn’t quite get it right, but hopefully, he can find something tomorrow,” Morkel said in the post-day press conference.
What Morkel said on India opting for 3 seamers at The Oval
Morkel also said that there will be a discussion around the selection as India did not include a fourth seamer and opted for an extra batter instead.
“We felt an extra batter was the way to go looking at the first three days. Our fourth seamer hasn’t been a frontline one either. But yes, those are discussions we’ll definitely reflect on after the series,” said the former South Africa pacer.