Irfan Pathan ends controversy over Akash Deep’s alleged no-ball to dismiss Joe Root
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English batsman Joe Root's dismissal off Akash Deep took some serious criticism and raised the bar of controversy yet again on social media platforms. However, former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan proved claims wrong with video evidence.
After India posed a huge 608-run target in front of the English batters, the bowlers also did a fairly good job; especially Akash Deep, the new recruit, shocked all with his accuracy. He struck twice in the second innings, dismissing Ben Duckett and Joe Root.
He cleaned both the batters up, breaking through their defence, while the ball to Joe Root was an absolute blinder. Though the umpires observing the play ruled it as a legal wicket delivery, English media reports have made claims of it being an illegal delivery.
What did the English media report on Akash Deep's dismissal of Joe Root?
While bowling to Joe Root, Akash Deep, a seasoned pacer who often uses the depth of the crease, was seen bowling from the sidelines of the track. He hurried onto Root with his deliveries angling in towards the right-hander.
During the wicket ball, Akash Deep's leg can be spotted two inches or so outside the backline, and Alison Mitchell claimed it to be a no-ball.
Irfan Pathan clears Akash Deep's name from the unwanted controversy
Former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan has come forward in support of the Indian bowler, as he explained on Sony Sports Studio, why the delivery was deemed a fair delivery by the field umpires.
Irfan Pathan showed frame-by-frame movement of the Akash Deep delivery, clearly proving that he had his first impact of the backfoot inside the designated area of the backline. That is what counts in the game; if one has the first impact inside the backline, then the delivery is deemed as a legal delivery, hence making the Joe Root dismissal legal.
No Ball or Legal delivery?
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 6, 2025
Irfan Pathan clears it up on #SchoolOfCricket 📹🏏#SonySportsNetwork #GroundTumharaJeetHamari #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings pic.twitter.com/PJIakjrGJ8
Akash Deep stuns England
India had decided to rest the great Jasprit Bumrah, which seemed a risky job after having lost the Headingley test despite the legendary paceman's presence in the side. No one favoured India as favourites in the Edgbaston test, citing their inexperienced bowling deck.
However, Akash Deep, who was brought in as the replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, set the tone of the Indian bowling innings in Birmingham. He dismissed Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope in consecutive deliveries in the first innings to keep India in the game.
He picked four wickets in the innings, also the breakthrough wicket of Harry Brook, breaking his partnership with Jamie Smith. Akash Deep's next two came in the second innings with the dismissals of Joe Root and Ben Duckett once again. He would be excited to make an impact on Day 5 and win it for India.
Tagged:
India National Cricket Team England National Cricket Team India vs England Joe Root Akash Deep Irfan Pathan
