The fifth and final day of the ongoing India vs England Test match witnessed dramatic twists as former India head coach Ravi Shastri questioned stand-in captain Shubman Gill’s field placements and bowling changes. However, debutant pacer Akash Deep turned the narrative on its head with a stellar performance that silenced critics and ensured India remained in command of the match.
The context: High-pressure fifth day
India entered Day 5 needing quick wickets to seal victory, while England were fighting to salvage a draw or chase down the remaining runs in a tough pitch situation. Shubman Gill, leading the side temporarily in Rohit Sharma’s absence during sessions, adopted a defensive approach early in the morning, placing deep fielders even as the new ball was just a few overs old.
This move did not sit well with Ravi Shastri, who was on commentary duty. He expressed his concerns about Gill’s tactics, stating:
“You need to attack with the new ball. There is no point having a deep point or deep square leg so early. Keep the pressure, make them play every ball. You have to be proactive as a captain, especially on Day 5.”
Shastri’s criticism and tactical analysis
Shastri’s criticism stemmed from the belief that Gill was allowing England batters easy singles, thus releasing the pressure built by the pacers. The new ball was offering movement off the seam, but defensive field placements meant the slips cordon was underutilised.
Key areas Shastri criticised:
- Defensive field placements with new ball
- Delayed introduction of Akash Deep despite early movement
- Lack of attacking mindset against set batters
Akash Deep turns the match around
Despite these tactical criticisms, the introduction of Akash Deep in the second hour of play changed the complexion of the match completely. Bowling from the pavilion end, he extracted bounce and seam movement consistently, dismissing two set England batters in quick succession.
| Session | Overs Bowled | Runs Conceded | Wickets Taken | Key wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Session | 6 | 14 | 2 | Joe Root, Ben Foakes |
His first wicket came from an immaculate delivery that pitched on middle and moved away sharply to take Joe Root’s edge to slip. Minutes later, he bowled an inswinger that trapped Ben Foakes plumb in front, drawing loud cheers from the dressing room.
Shubman Gill’s captaincy vindicated?
While Shastri’s points on proactive field placements remain valid from a traditional perspective, Gill’s decision to back Akash Deep with defensive fields initially, and then bring fielders up once Akash settled into rhythm, worked tactically. Gill later explained his decisions in the post-lunch press conference:
“We wanted to let Akash settle in with defensive fields so he could bowl freely without worrying about boundaries. Once he found his line and length, we attacked. It worked as planned.”
This reveals that Gill was adopting a new-age captaincy approach focused on bowler comfort over conventional aggression – a tactic seen with modern captains like Pat Cummins and Ben Stokes in recent years.
Akash Deep’s memorable debut performance
The 27-year-old Bengal pacer, who earned his maiden Test cap in this match, impressed everyone with his accuracy, seam position, and composure under pressure. Despite initial nerves, his ability to move the ball both ways made him a standout performer on Day 5.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Wickets | Bowling Average | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akash Deep | 1 | 2 | 5 | 18.4 | 3/46 |
His figures not only strengthened India’s hold on the match but also opened discussions around India’s pace bowling depth in the absence of frontline bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.
Reactions from experts and fans
While Shastri acknowledged Akash Deep’s brilliance later, he maintained that Gill needs to improve his tactical acumen if he wishes to grow as a long-term captain. However, other experts offered balanced perspectives:
Sunil Gavaskar:
“Gill is still learning. Captaincy in Test cricket is not about just attacking. It is about reading the game and the bowlers’ mindset. Today he showed he has a calm head.”
Harsha Bhogle:
“Akash Deep showed why backing young bowlers with confidence yields results. Gill deserves credit for trusting him at a crucial stage.”
On social media, fans hailed Akash Deep as the “find of the series” with hashtags like #AkashDeep #INDvsENG trending throughout the day. Many praised Gill for supporting a debutant under immense pressure rather than turning to experienced spinners only.
England’s collapse under Akash Deep’s spell
England, who looked comfortable at 125/3 during the morning session, lost their remaining seven wickets for just 86 runs, succumbing to disciplined seam and spin bowling. Akash Deep’s two-wicket burst triggered this collapse, after which Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja cleaned up the tail efficiently.
India’s tactical experiment – defensive fields with attacking bowlers
The Gill-Akash Deep approach highlighted a growing trend in world cricket where captains prioritise bowler confidence over traditional aggressive field placements. Similar strategies were seen with Pat Cummins during the Ashes 2023, where defensive fields backed attacking bowlers, reducing risk and forcing batters to make mistakes out of frustration.
What does this mean for Shubman Gill’s captaincy future?
Gill has often been projected as a future leader for India across formats. While his captaincy in this match had areas for improvement, his ability to back debutants and remain calm under scrutiny from legends like Shastri is commendable. With Rohit Sharma in the final years of his career, Gill’s leadership development will remain crucial for the Indian team’s future transition planning.
Summary of Day 5 performance
| Key performer | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akash Deep | 16 | 46 | 3 | Triggered collapse with two quick wickets |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 22 | 54 | 2 | Cleaned up tail efficiently |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 18 | 58 | 3 | Wrapped up lower order with variations |
Final thoughts
Ravi Shastri’s concerns over Shubman Gill’s captaincy tactics stemmed from traditional aggressive fielding philosophies. However, Gill’s approach to prioritise bowler comfort paid dividends as debutant Akash Deep exploited the conditions effectively. This combination ensured India remains on track for a series-clinching win while unearthing another quality pacer for future challenges.
Disclaimer: This news article is for informational and analytical purposes only. It does not represent official statements beyond quoted press conference excerpts. All views are attributed to respective experts and are subject to subsequent match developments or clarifications by BCCI and team management.
