Watch: Akash Deep’s epic Oval fifty forces Gautam Gambhir to do the unthinkable; Gill, Jadeja’s reactions go viral

Akash Deep reached his maiden Test half-century during the morning session on Day 3 (Saturday, August 2) of the fifth Test against England at The Oval. The batter erupted in celebration after reaching the milestone, and the reactions of Gautam Gambhir, Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja quickly went viral.

India resumed Day 3 of the final Test at 75 for 2. Akash survived a close LBW appeal off pacer Josh Tongue, thanks to the umpire’s call. The pair stitched together a crucial half-century stand, helping India extend their lead past the 100-run mark in this high-stakes finale of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Watch: Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja Urge Akash Deep to Remove Helmet, Gautam Gambhir smiles

Akash Deep reached his maiden Test half-century on the third ball of the 38th over in India’s second innings. The batter smashed a boundary off Atkinson, pumped his fist, and proudly pointed to the India badge on his chest as the dressing room gave him a standing ovation.

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Shubman Gill came out to the balcony to cheer him on. Ravindra Jadeja and Gill urged Akash to remove his helmet, typically a gesture reserved for centuries, but the nightwatchman chose to keep it on.

Akash’s unexpected contribution with the bat, especially while batting at No. 4, drew admiration from Gautam Gambhir, who was seen smiling. His gritty knock came as a surprise, unsettling England not with the ball, but with the bat in hand.

Watch the video of the same posted by a user on X (formerly known as Twitter) below:

pic.twitter.com/gEGPUYUE83

— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) August 2, 2025

Jadeja and Gill wanted Akashdeep to remove his helmet and celebrate the fifty. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/ma3Wxp7L97

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 2, 2025

Akash Deep Enters Record Books with Maiden Test Fifty

Akash broke multiple records with his knock. The right-handed batter became the first Indian nightwatchman since Amit Mishra in 2011 to score a fifty in a Test innings. Notably, both feats came at The Oval. The half-century was also Akash’s highest score in first-class cricket.

Akash also etched his name into the history books by becoming only the third Indian to register both a 10-wicket haul and a 50-plus score in an overseas Test series. He is the first to achieve this feat in a SENA country (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia).

50+ Scores for an Indian Nightwatchman in Tests Since 2000:

He Has Been Brave And Smart - Alastair Cook

Former England skipper Sir Alastair Cook praised Akash for his knock. Cook admitted that Akash’s batting had surprised him, adding that the performance made him look foolish as a pundit. He described the knock as brave and smart.

"Akash Deep has been brave and he has been smart. Incredibly valuable and he's also made me look very silly as a pundit. I didn't think we would have a Deep 50 and no wickets in an hour and half," Cook stated, as quoted by BBC Test Match Special.

Also read: Shubman Gill blamed for Akash Deep's send-off to Ben Duckett during Oval Test