'Rishabh Pant deliberately threw Akash Deep': India teammate makes shocking revelation
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The India vs England third Test at Lord's has been full of action, from the teams scoring the same amount of runs across the two innings to England being bowled out for just 192 in the second innings, with Washington Sundar being the wonder man.
After Indian bowlers had dominated the first two sessions of the Lord's Test Day 4, the batters had the remaining job of scoring some runs at the back end and at least keeping wickets to hand India a favourable position going into Day 5.
However, India did not have the best of outings with the bat, as they were 4 wickets down until the end of the day's play, and 135 runs still needed to be chased on the final day.
Nightwatchman Akash Deep replaced Rishabh Pant at Lord's
When India kept losing wickets in the last half hour of Day 4, captain Shubman Gill's wicket was the biggest of them to fall. But what worried the fans even more was that Akash Deep came in instead of Rishabh Pant at no. 5.
The Indian No. 9 might have been sent in as the nightwatchman to safeguard KL Rahul from getting dismissed by playing most of the balls, but still, it was not a very likely decision, as seen in recent times in India's Test matches.
KL Rahul, the only Indian batter to have shown some form, waited with bated breath for the arrival of Rishabh Pant, but Indians had another surprise up their sleeves, as in came Akash Deep.
With much batting left towards the back end of the Indian innings, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Rishabh Pant, who would all be possibly sent in, the decision was solely made in the last minute to avoid the loss of any further crucial wickets.
Ravichandran Ashwin drops bold remarks on the Nightwatchman move
Whether the decision was rightly made or wrong, this could only be answered based on the outcome of the match and by the Indian management who took the call.
However, a former Indian spinner and teammate of Rishabh Pant has made a loud claim on the incident, saying Pant doesn't like batting in during the closing minutes of the game, and he mentioned a previous incident during their playing days for India.
“I’ll tell you a story. Remember that Test match in Mirpur when India were chasing some 140 runs to win? So I was sitting and relaxing in the dressing room after bowling. It was all hot and humid. I was sitting next to the analyst and Rahul Dravid (head coach) was there a little further," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
"After we lost the first two wickets, Rishabh said ‘main nahi ja raha batting karne’ (I am not going out to bat) to Rahul bhai. There was a good 30-40 minutes left. But he said I am not going."
"When the next wicket fell and the No. 4 batter was supposed to go in, he went inside and they had to send Axar Patel first, I guess, and then Jaydev Unadkat to go in as the nightwatchman."
Uncertainty on Rishabh Pant's arrival at Lord's
Rishabh Pant, the left-handed wicket-keeper batter for India, has been a stunning performer in England. He has gathered a pile of runs in the series already and has played a stunning hand in the first innings.
Pant will be a crucial part of the Indian second innings, as India still needs 135 runs to complete the chase in the innings. But his absence on the field and sending of Akash Deep before him has induced a doubt in the minds of Indian fans.
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India National Cricket Team England National Cricket Team India vs England Akash Deep Rishabh Pant Ravichandran Ashwin IND vs ENG
