Watch: Ben Duckett plays ultra-rare reverse scoop off Akash Deep in Oval Test, joins exclusive 2-man club
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The English innings marked opening batter Ben Duckett smashing Indian pacer Akash Deep for a huge six over the slip cordon, as he brought out an insane reverse scoop shot against the pacer in the last ball of the 4th over of the innings.
After being sent in to bat first by the English skipper Ollie Pope, Shubman Gill's side once again failed to be promising enough in the first innings. The openers failed to show any good form, while Shubman Gill almost threw away his wicket after starting to build on a partnership alongside Sai Sudharsan.
Indian lower-order batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar also could not be of great use this time around, as India were bowled out for just 224 runs on the board, with Karun Nair being the highest scorer in the innings.
Ben Duckett plays an insane reverse scoop for six
Indian bowler Akash Deep and Ben Duckett had a great contest on the field, as the bowler troubled the left-hander early in his spell. Akash Deep challenged the field umpire's decision and urged Gill for a quick review, which eventually was ruled not out.
He then went past the advancing Duckett's outside edge; the batter looked to play some shots to release pressure building up on him. Just then, Akash Deep gave him a slightly wider ball to open his arms, while Duckett chose to reverse scoop the bowler over the slip cordon's head.
A very audacious shot to play this early in the innings, yet Duckett landed it to perfection as the ball went sailing over the ropes for a six. After that, Akash Deep might have challenged his outside edge at times, yet the batter kept scoring runs off the pacer until dismissed.
Sam Konstas' debut at MCG recalled by Indian fans
Watching Duckett play such an audacious shot, the Indian fans have been reminded of young Australian batter Sam Konstas, who came in to replace Nathan McSweeney in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Konstas played his debut game at the MCG and started off his Test career with a half-century, but what was special about his innings was that he launched an immediate attack on Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah, who was India's most threatening weapon in the series.
He was the only batter to have dared to play an audacious shot like a reverse scoop even earlier than Ben Duckett did in this game. Young Konstas had impressed on his debut with the game spirit of a true fighter. Notably, Ben Duckett and Sam Konstas are the only batters in history to play reverse scoops inside the first four overs of a Test innings.
🚨 There's only one instance of a batter playing a reverse scoop earlier than the final ball of fourth over of an innings, which Duckett played - Sam Konstas against Bumrah at the MCG last December.pic.twitter.com/FXQW0QxRN8#ENGvIND #CricketTwitter #ENGvsIND
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) August 1, 2025
Akash Deep has the last laugh in the battle with Ben Duckett
After going for several runs, Akash Deep had the last laugh in the battle with the English opener. Duckett looked set with the huge partnership between the two openers in no time, as India was not able to put a break on the quick flow of runs.
Duckett, on 43, who had already connected a reverse scoop and a ramp shot early in the innings, was confident to attempt another reverse scoop against Akash Deep; however, the bowler was probably ready and hence bowled a ball angling away from the batter. Duckett edged the ball faintly to the wicket-keeper.
After the wicket, Akash Deep was seen in an engaging chat with the English opener; however, with the smiling faces of the two players, it can be predicted as a very light-hearted exchange.
Tagged:
India National Cricket Team England National Cricket Team India vs England England vs India Ben Duckett Akash Deep Jasprit Bumrah
