Debuting as a fast bowler on Indian pitches is never easy: Irfan Pathan hails Akash Deep

Former India fast bowler Irfan Pathan has heaped praise on Akash Deep for his impressive Test debut. The right-arm pacer made his debut in Test cricket on Friday (February 23) in the ongoing fourth Test between India and England in Ranchi.

With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the game, Akash Deep got the nod ahead of Mukesh Kumar in the playing eleven and he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. In the first three Tests, India did not really enjoy a productive time with the new ball but it changed in the ongoing game as the debutant blew England’s top-order away.

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Irfan Pathan praises Akash Deep:

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett added 47 runs for the first wicket before Akash Deep took three wickets in quick succession to put India in the driver’s seat. In the tenth over, the Bengal pacer dismissed Duckett and Ollie Pope to reduce the tourists to 47 for 2.

He first made Duckett edge one to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel behind the stumps before trapping Pope in front of the stumps with a delivery that came in sharply. Ten runs later, he castled Crawley with a beauty to leave England reeling at 57 for 3.

WWW 🤝 Akash Deep!

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/FUbQ3Mhpq9#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/YANSwuNsG0

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 23, 2024

With Akash Deep putting India in command with his impressive display with the new ball, Irfan Pathan has heaped praise on him. The former cricketer-turned-commentator took to X (formerly Twitter) to point out how difficult it is for a fast bowler to debut on Indian pitches as he wrote:

“Debuting as a fast bowler on Indian pitches is never easy, but Akash Deep is certainly making a mark straight away. Well done, boy! 👏 “

Debuting as a fast bowler on Indian pitches is never easy, but Akash Deep is certainly making a mark straight away. Well done, boy! 👏 #INDvsENG

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 23, 2024

Talking about the game, India are firmly in the driver’s seat after taking five wickets in the first session of the Test. They were on 112 for 5 at lunch. After Akash Deep’s spell, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja joined the party as well. While Ashwin dismissed Jonny Bairstow, Jadeja sent back England captain Ben Stokes to put India on top.

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