Akash Deep's 10-wicket haul Cheating controversy over Joe Root's wicket, India's Edgbaston win
Akash Deep Joe Root Wicket Controversy 2025: India registered a sensational 336-run win over England in the 2nd Test at Edgbaston to level the five-match series 1-1. The win was thanks to pacer Akash Deep, who picked up his first career 10-wicket haul (10/161 in the match) with figures of 6/99 in the second innings. However, his brilliant bowling, particularly the wicket of England ace batsman Joe Root, sparked an unexpected controversy, with Akash terming it “cheating” on social media. Akash’s achievement not only underlined India’s historic win but also brought to the fore his personal struggle and dedication.
India’s historic win at Edgbaston
India set a mammoth target of 608 runs, chasing which England were bowled out for 271 on the final day. Shubman Gill’s batting of 269 in the first innings and 161 in the second put India in a strong position. But it was the aggression of the bowlers, especially Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj (6/70 in the first innings), that brought England to their knees. The win was India’s first Test victory at Edgbaston, where they had previously suffered seven defeats in eight attempts.
Akash Deep’s magical delivery that got Joe Root out
The most talked about wicket of Akash Deep’s six wickets in the second innings was that of Joe Root. He bowled a delivery wide of the crease, which Root thought was an inswinger and closed the face of his bat. But the ball suddenly turned towards the off stump and completely fooled Root, uprooting the off stump. This delivery was described as a “dream ball” by India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel.
“Cheating” controversy
After Joe Root’s dismissal, some fans and social media users termed Akash Deep’s delivery as a “cheat”. According to claims, the line and movement of the ball was so unpredictable that it was a “cunning” attempt to confuse the batsman. However, cricket experts called it pure skill and the art of fast bowling. The controversy escalated further when some users mistakenly linked Akash’s performance with that of Mukesh Kumar, for which former cricketer Madan Lal was trolled on social media.
Aakash’s 10-wicket haul
Akash Deep recorded figures of 4/88 in the first innings and 6/99 in the second innings. In the second innings, he dismissed key batsmen like Ben Duckett (25), Joe Root (6), Harry Brook (23), and Jamie Smith (88). His bowling also marked the first time since 1976 that a bowler dismissed four of England’s top five batsmen in an innings, a feat last achieved by Michael Holding. This feat brought Akash into the league of legends like Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, and Glenn McGrath.
Personal Motivation
Aakash dedicated this magnificent achievement to his sister, who has been battling cancer for the last two months. In a conversation with Cheteshwar Pujara on Jio Hotstar, he said, “I haven’t spoken about this to anyone, but my sister was diagnosed with cancer two months ago. This performance is for her.” This emotional revelation makes his performance even more inspiring. He said that his sister’s picture was in his mind while bowling every ball.
Shubman Gill’s leadership
Shubman Gill performed brilliantly not only with the bat (430 runs, including 269 and 161) but also in captaincy. He made the unexpected decision to change the bowling end to Akash Deep on Day 5, which Nasser Hussain termed as “unthinkable”. This strategy helped Akash to demolish England’s batting. Gill said, “When your two fast bowlers take 17 wickets, captaincy becomes easy.”
Siraj and Akash pair
Mohammed Siraj gave Akash a great support with 6/70 in the first innings. The duo took 16 wickets together, keeping India’s bowling strong even in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Gill confirmed that Bumrah will return for the third Test at Lord’s, making it a tough decision to drop either Akash or Siraj. Morne Morkel praised Akash’s style of bowling at the stumps, which was suitable for the conditions in England.
Technical discussion on Joe Root’s wicket
Joe Root’s wicket was the highlight of Aakash’s bowling. The ball started outside the crease and then turned sharply towards the off stump, completely baffling Root. Some fans claimed it to be a “no-ball”, but replays clearly showed Aakash’s foot was behind the line. According to ICC rules, it was a legitimate delivery, and the controversy soon turned into admiration for technical prowess.
Aakash’s career so far
Akash Deep, who was born in Dehri, Bihar and trained in cricket in Kolkata, made his debut in the Ranchi Test against England in 2024. In just eight Tests, he impressed with his fast pace and accurate line-length. His batting on the Australia tour (31 runs, against Travis Head) also caught attention. However, R. Ashwin recently criticized the selection process, saying that bowlers get fewer chances than batsmen, and Akash could be dropped due to fewer wickets in Australia.
The Edgbaston Challenge
The Edgbaston pitch was flat, which posed a challenge for the bowlers. Morkel admitted that there was little room for error on such a surface. Nevertheless, Akash troubled the England batsmen with his consistency and aggression. His bowling effectively nullified the badball strategy that England had adopted to bat aggressively.
Confrontation between Gill and Akash
On the second day, Gill scolded Aakash in a run-out situation by saying “What are you looking at?” when Aakash reacted slowly at mid-wicket. This was Gill’s first angry moment under captaincy. However, Aakash took it positively and gave his all to the bowling. This incident shows his mental strength.
England’s response
England batsman Harry Brook told the BBC that they still had hopes of winning, but the bowling of Akash and Siraj ruined their plans. England bowling coach John Trescothick admitted that a target of 608 runs was impossible. England’s bowling, especially Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse, were ineffective on a flat pitch.
Technology of the Akashdeep
Akashdeep’s bowling is characterised by his ability to bowl on the stumps. Morkel said this is effective in English conditions, where it is important to keep the ball on a full length. Akash showed skill with both the new and old ball. His speed, which reaches 140 km/h, and precise movement make him dangerous.
Siraj’s contribution
Siraj dismissed batsmen like Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow in the first innings. His speed and nip-backer gave England early jolts. His partnership with Akash put India in a strong position. The aggression of both of them did not let the absence of Bumrah be felt.
Challenge at Lords
Gill confirmed that Bumrah will return to action for the third Test at Lord’s starting July 10. The Lord’s pitch is expected to have more movement, which will suit Bumrah. But Akash’s performance has created a pleasant dilemma for the selectors. Will they drop Akash or Siraj?
Fans’ reaction
Fans on social media praised Aakash, but some used words like “cheat”, which misrepresented his exceptional bowling. Sachin Tendulkar praised his bowling, particularly describing the wicket of Root as “the best ball of the series”. VVS Laxman also praised Aakash and Siraj.
Akash’s inspiring journey
Akash, who hails from a small village, overcame many hurdles in his career. His simplicity and use of traditional words like “discipline” reflect his down-to-earth thinking. Despite the expectations of green pitches in England, he performed exceptionally well on a flat pitch. His achievement is a testament to his hard work.
Weaknesses of England
England’s batting looked weak in the second innings. Jamie Smith (88) and Harry Brook showed some resistance, but Akash’s bowling did not give them any chance. England’s bowling also proved ineffective against India’s batsmen, especially Gill and Rishabh Pant (65). This defeat is a warning to England that their baseball strategy does not work in every situation.
Conclusion
Akash Deep’s 10-wicket haul at Edgbaston formed the basis of India’s historic victory. The wicket of Joe Root and the “cheating” controversy associated with it are a testament to his exceptional bowling skills. This performance dedicated to his sister shows his mental strength and talent. The third Test at Lord’s will be another opportunity for Akash and India to prove their superiority.
