As the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy continues at The Oval, the intensity between India and England shows no sign of slowing down. With both the teams battling hard, every session has been fiercely contested. The Indian bowlers have been relentless, while the English batters have tried to counter with aggression. Amid this tense backdrop, a heated exchange between Akash Deep and Ben Duckett on the second day brought emotions to the surface and became one of the most talked-about moments of the match.
Akash Deep and Ben Duckett have been at odds throughout the series and their rivalry carried into this Test as well. Duckett looked confident when he managed to scoop Akash twice for boundaries and was even heard saying that the bowler couldn’t dismiss him. But just like in the third Test at Lord’s, Akash had the last word again. Duckett attempted another scoop but this time he gloved it straight to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. As Duckett made his way back to the pavilion, Akash walked up to him with a smile and placed an arm around his shoulder. Though it appeared playful, the gesture didn’t sit well with many.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting was asked about the moment during the lunch break broadcast. Presenter Ian Ward jokingly suggested that a similar send-off to Ponting in his playing days might have earned the bowler a punch in return. Ponting didn’t deny it, responding that it “probably” would have. He expressed surprise at seeing such behaviour in a high-stakes Test match, noting that it’s more common in friendly local games than on such a big stage. However, he praised Duckett for keeping his cool and not reacting, saying it made him appreciate the English batter even more.
The incident has also stirred criticism in the English camp. Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick called Akash’s behaviour unusual and remarked that many county players would not have let such a moment pass quietly. He hinted that some might have responded physically, perhaps by throwing in an elbow, underlining how provocative the gesture seemed.
As the final Test of the series continues to unfold with gripping drama, moments like these show just how emotionally charged and competitive this contest has become.
