During the morning session at The Oval on Day 3 of India’s fifth Test against England, bowler Akash Deep accomplished a remarkable achievement in his brief Test career. Coming in as a nightwatchman on Day 2, the fast bowler produced his first Test half-century, joining a small group of nightwatchmen who have scored 50 or more runs in a single innings.
Akash Deep came in at No.4 after Sai Sudharsan was dismissed late on Day 2.
Given the task of defending Indian middle order during a difficult period, he not only survived but also kept the scoreboard ticking. On the third morning, Deep and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal took over England’s bowling assault, with Deep hitting boundaries with ease. He reached his half-century by hauling Gus Atkinson for a boundary to complete his first fifty. The 28-year-old hoisted his bat and pumped his fist, prompting acclaim in 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
| Player | Opponent | Year | Score |
| Amit Mishra | England | 2011 | 84 |
| Akash Deep | England | 2025 | 66 |
| Amit Mishra | Bangladesh | 2010 | 58 |
India
