Indian fast bowler and nightwatchman Akash Deep shared insights about his outstanding 66-run performance during the final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. His primary objective was to remain at the crease for as long as possible to exhaust the opposing bowlers.

Batting at number four in a tough situation, Akash Deep achieved a personal best of 66 runs off 94 deliveries, including 12 boundaries. His crucial 107-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal was instrumental in helping India equal the five-match series at 2-2.

In his reflections, Akash stated, "Nothing was happening. You are part of the team. If the team needs something, you should step up. I felt fortunate during that time. Whenever I find myself in such situations, I feel driven and eager to contribute. My focus was not on scoring runs but on staying at the crease longer. If I could do that, it would tire the bowlers and ease the pressure on the other batsmen."

With this remarkable innings, Akash Deep became the 12th player to achieve both a ten-wicket haul and a fifty during a tour of England, joining legends like Hugh Trumble, Shane Warne, Imran Khan, Keith Miller, and Richard Hadlee.

Prior to the Oval Test, Deep's first-class batting average stood at a mere 11.48. He is now only the fourth Indian in this century to score a Test fifty while batting at No. 4 in England, alongside icons Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill. Additionally, he became the first Indian nightwatchman to surpass 50 runs since Amit Mishra's 84 at the same venue in 2011.

The 107-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal on Day 3 marked the 18th century-plus stand during the recent England tour, setting a record for the most in a Test series this century, surpassing the previous record of 17 in the 2003-04 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Akash Deep also made significant contributions with the ball during India's historic win in the second Test at Edgbaston, where he took 10 wickets for 187 runs—recording India's best match figures in England and becoming only the second Indian to achieve a ten-wicket haul in the country.

Discussing his bowling strategy, Deep remarked, "I wasn't overthinking; I understood the importance of the match. After losing the first match of the series without Jasprit Bumrah, we felt a responsibility to perform well. My goal was to bowl accurately and with discipline, rather than focusing on taking five or ten wickets."

Deep concluded the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 with a total of 13 wickets at an average of 36.46, including his historic ten-wicket haul, solidifying his legacy in Indian cricket.