England coach James Knott has called upon the ICC to censure India player Akash Deep after an ugly Oval incident with Ben Duckett during 4th Test of the drawn Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
The Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy ended level on points, but the cricket wasn’t the only thing that had people talking. In a fiercely contested five-Test series packed with high-stakes moments, tempers flared at the Oval, where India quick Akash Deep found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The flashpoint came after Akash dismissed England opener Ben Duckett in the final Test. Instead of the usual subdued celebration, the pacer put an arm around Duckett’s shoulders and said a few words — enough for KL Rahul to quickly step in, pulling his teammate away before things escalated. The ICC has so far chosen not to sanction Akash, but Duckett’s coach James Knott believes the incident shouldn’t pass without consequence.
“It was part of a competitive series, but certainly needs a sanction to discourage youngsters,” Knott told The Times of India. “At the same time, it doesn’t bother me personally.”
Duckett, for his part, had been one of England’s standout performers. He piled up 462 runs at an average of 51.33 and a strike rate of 82.94, refusing to abandon his attacking mindset even as England dialed down their aggression later in the series. Knott says that competitive fire is exactly what makes Duckett such a tricky customer for bowlers.
“People think he’s laid back, but when he’s out in the middle, he’s fiercely competitive. Shubman Gill told me he enjoyed the challenge against him,” Knott explained. “He’s short, left-handed, scores square of the wicket, sweeps both sides. In that sense, he’s very different to most players out there. Think of Gill — much more orthodox.”
Knott first saw Duckett as a teenager with a bag full of tricks — reverse sweep, switch hit — but without the power to clear the ropes. “He learnt early to keep the ball down, and that’s still part of his game,” Knott said. “There were times we had to discipline him at school level. He took it well and came back more mature.”
That maturity, Knott added, has grown off the field too. “Back then, he was a single young man dealing with low points. Now he’s got a young child and is getting married. Those things give you perspective.”
As for Akash Deep, the incident may yet fade as a footnote to an enthralling series. But with calls for the ICC to take a closer look, the final word on this confrontation might not have been spoken.
