Debut for Akash Deep or Siraj? Aakash Chopra in awe of fast ...

India vs England: Former opener Aakash Chopra was in awe of debutant Akash Deep after the young India pacer ran through England's top order in a dream debut spell.

Akash Deep put India on top with his dream debut spell (AP Photo)

Former India opener Aakash Chopra praised young pacer Akash Deep for his impressive debut spell after the debutant reduced England to 112 for five at lunch on the first day of the fourth Test in Ranchi. Chopra praised Akash Deep's remarkable debut, where the fast bowler took three wickets in his first spell, highlighting how challenging it is for a pacer to make a debut in India due to the typically spin-friendly conditions.

Yet, Akash Deep managed to dismiss Duckett and Pope in the same over, followed by Crawley, showcasing his skill and making it seem as though he was not a debutant but a seasoned player. "Not easy for a fast bowler to make his debut in India and Akash Deep took three wickets in his first spell. And all three dismissals were proper wickets. Akash sent back Duckett and Pope in the same over and then Crawley could not make the most of his reprieve as he was cleaned up for a second time. It did not like Akash was making his Test debut," Aakash Chopra said while speaking on JioCinema.

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Aakash Chopra noted that if one were unaware of who was debuting, one might have assumed Siraj was the newcomer based on Akash Deep's confident performance. "Somehow you feel if a pacer is making his Test debut and then there will be nerves and the debutant will be in the shadows of his senior pacer. But if we don't tell you today that who was making his Test debut, Siraj or Akash. One might have felt that Siraj was making his debut because Akash Deep bowled like he has been playing Test cricket for a long time. India team is going through a period of transition," Chopra added.

Akash Deep made an instant impact with the ball after Ben Stokes chose to bat on a pitch that already has cracks at both ends and is expected to help the spinners. Akash sent opener Zak Crawley's off-stump cartwheeling in his second over but his celebration for his first Test wicket was cut short when the no-ball siren sounded. The Indian pacer quickly overcame his disappointment, striking twice in three balls. Akash dismissed Ben Duckett caught behind for 11 with an angled delivery that elicited a tentative prod from the opener.

Akash was overjoyed as he waited for confirmation that he had not overstepped and beat his chest in celebration. Two balls later, Ollie Pope stepped out but was rapped on his pad. The England vice-captain was initially ruled not out, but India reviewed the decision and dismissed him lbw. Crawley did not look comfortable against Akash's lively pace, but he had no qualms about going after Mohammed Siraj, hitting him for three fours in a row and then a huge six. Enter Akash, who finished Crawley's run-a-ball 42 by hitting the top of his off-stump.

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