Akash Deep faces shocking accusations over Joe Root dismissal - ICC action incoming?

Team India fast bowler Akash Deep produced a sensational delivery to dismiss veteran England batter Joe Root on Day 4 of the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham. However, Root's dismissal sparked controversy, with several fans and commentators questioning the legality of the delivery.

India declared their second innings at 427/6 during the final session on Saturday, July 5. They set a target of 608 runs for England to win the match. The hosts lost three wickets before stumps on Day 4. Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, and Joe Root failed to make an impact against the Indian bowlers in the final overs.

Joe Root's Dismissal Sparks No-Ball Controversy on Day 4 at Edgbaston

Joe Root’s dismissal stirred controversy, with many calling it a no-ball. Akash Deep sent Root back for just six runs with a full ball that crashed into the stumps. However, moments after the dismissal, BBC commentator Alison Mitchell said that the ball should have been called a no-ball.

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She pointed out that the foot was about two inches over the line. Her observation has sparked debate about the missed no-ball.

“The delivery from Akash Deep — which we said was wide off the crease — his foot on the back crease is out. Looks like by about two inches. Maybe a little bit more. But comfortably. So his back foot, which needs to land within the line, just taps about two inches over the line. Not picked up!” Mitchell said.

𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 🥶#AkashDeep uproots #JoeRoot with a searing in-swinger, his second wicket puts England firmly on the back foot 🤩#ENGvIND 👉 2nd TEST, Day 4 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar ➡ https://t.co/2wT1UwEcdi pic.twitter.com/avu1sqRrcG

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 5, 2025

Ravi Shastri Defends Akash Deep, Says Joe Root’s Dismissal Was Legal

Ravi Shastri weighed in on the controversy surrounding Joe Root’s dismissal, asserting that Akash Deep’s delivery was legitimate. The former India head coach and current commentator stated that Akash’s foot had landed within the return crease, making the ball legal.

What MCC Law 21.5.1 Says:

"For a delivery to be fair in respect of the feet, in the delivery stride (21.5.1) the bowler's back foot must land within and not touch the return crease appertaining to his/her stated mode of delivery. (21.5.2) the bowler's front foot must land with some part of the foot, whether grounded or raised - on the same side of the imaginary line joining the two middle stumps as the return crease described in 21.5.1, and - behind the popping crease."

Root had a disappointing outing in the Edgbaston Test. He managed just 22 runs off 46 deliveries in the first innings and was dismissed for only 6 in the second.

Akash Deep Replaced Jasprit Bumrah in Playing XI for Edgbaston Test

Defending a massive target of 608 runs, the Indian bowlers reduced the hosts to 72/3 by stumps. Mohammed Siraj dismissed Zak Crawley for a duck. Akash Deep then took two key wickets, removing Ben Duckett for 25 and clean-bowling Joe Root for 6.

Deep ended the day with figures of 2/36 from eight overs, while Siraj returned 1/29 from five. By the close of play on Day 4, England were under pressure, still trailing by 536 runs, with Harry Brook and Ollie Pope at the crease.

Earlier in the match, Akash had impressed in England’s first innings as well, finishing with 4/88 in 20 overs. He removed Duckett and Ollie Pope in back-to-back deliveries and later dismissed the well-set Harry Brook for 158 and Chris Woakes with the second new ball.

Also read: India vs England Weather Report Day 5, Edgbaston Test 2025