Indian nightwatchman who scored 50+ runs in a Test innings

During the morning session at The Oval on Day 3 of the fifth Test between India and England, pacer Akash Deep recorded a memorable feat in his short Test career. Coming in as a nightwatchman on Day 2, the fast bowler hammered his maiden Test half-century, joining a rare list of nightwatchmen who have scored 50 or more runs in an innings.

Akash Deep walked in at No.4 after Sai Sudharsan’s dismissal late on Day 2. Given the responsibility of protecting India’s middle order through a tough phase, he not only survived but also kept the scoreboard ticking. On the third morning, partnering with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, the duo took over the England bowling attack, with Deep finding boundaries with ease. He reached his half-century by pulling Gus Atkinson for a boundary to reach his maiden fifty. The 28-year-old raised his bat and pumped his fist, and received applause from the Indian dressing room.

With his fifty, he became only the second Indian nightwatchman in the 21st century to score a Test half-century, the first being Amit Mishra, who did it twice, including an 84 at the same venue against England in 2011. It is also Deep’s highest Test score, surpassing his previous best of 31, and it was only his second-ever fifty in professional cricket. However, he was eventually dismissed on 66 after giving a leading edge off Jamie Overton’s bowling. The pacer in his 94-ball stay smashed 12 boundaries.

List of Indian nightwatchmen’s highest scores

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