Akash Deep took 13 wickets for India in three Tests in England.
The incident happened on Day 4 of the fifth and final Test match of the series. After dismissing Duckett, the bowler put his arms around the batter as he left the pitch. Duckett remained amazingly composed and did not react to the pacer, as if Akash Deep had told him something.
Before the send-off, there was animosity between the two as well, with the two exchanging words in between deliveries. Duckett reportedly informed Akash Deep that he wouldn't be able to get him out, according to the Indian bowler. The comment apparently infuriated the bowler, especially considering his strong record against Duckett.
“I have a good record against Duckett and have got him out a few times. I have always fancied my chances against the left-handers, and he is no different. On that day, he was trying to throw me off my line and length and had played a number of unconventional shots. That’s when he said to me that it was his day and I will not be able to get him out,” Akash told RevSportz.
Duckett's strategies made bowling to him difficult at first, but Akash Deep was motivated after he achieved the breakthrough.
“The truth is, if a batter moves around the pitch and plays these shots, your line and length do get impacted, for you don’t really know what he will do next. That’s what was happening. Also, England was off to a quick start, and we needed a wicket. We were defending a modest score, and wickets were critical. When I got him out (smiles), I said to him: ‘You miss, I hit. Not always will you win. This time, I win. It was a continuation of what he was saying to me, and it was all done in good spirit,” said the bowler.
Akash Deep took 13 wickets in the three Tests he played. His best effort was 6/99 and a ten-wicket haul in the Birmingham Test, which India won by 336 runs.