NEW DELHI – The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series between India and England is still hot, even after the last Test at The Oval. The most recent issue came up during the first innings of the fifth Test, when Indian bowler Akash Deep wrapped his arms around England opener Ben Duckett’s shoulder as he went off the field to celebrate Duckett’s dismissal.
Some people thought the gesture was kind, but cricket experts and coaches have had strong reactions to it. Ricky Ponting, a famous cricketer, remarked that if he were Duckett, he “probably would have punched” Akash Deep. He praised Duckett for being calm. James Knott, Duckett’s childhood coach, has also spoken out about the issue. He told media that this kind of behavior, even though it was part of a competitive series, “certainly needs a sanction to discourage youngsters.”
The Story Behind the Exchange
The gesture was the end of a personal fight between the two athletes. Akash Deep had already gotten Duckett out three times in Test cricket, but Duckett seemed to be getting the better of him at The Oval. He reverse-swept Akash Deep for a six and ran down the track several times for boundaries, even telling the Indian bowler that he wouldn’t get out to him this time.
But things changed when Duckett tried to sweep again and got an outside edge to the keeper, which was a big break for India. Akash Deep wrapped his arm around Duckett as he walked back to the pavilion at this moment of relief and victory. Later in the match, when Akash Deep came out to bat in India’s second innings, the two had a similar moment. This shows that they both understood the rivalry on the field.
Knott, who has been Duckett’s coach since he was a toddler, said that Duckett is a “very competitive” player who can “access both sides of the wicket.” He also said that Duckett is “short, left-handed, scores square of the wicket, sweeps both sides in multiple areas,” which makes him “hard to bowl at.” Knott also remembered that Duckett, even though he was short, “just hit the ball harder than most of them” from a young age.
The coach’s request for the ICC to step in has sparked a discussion over the fine line between competitive sledging and a bowler’s right to celebrate. The fight between Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, as well as Ben Stokes’s handshake saga at Old Trafford, are just a few of the other fiery moments from the series. These events show how fierce the battle was in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.