Former cricketer-turned-commentator Ravi Shastri was critical of India skipper Shubman Gill’s tactics on Day 5 of the second Test against England at Edgbaston. However, he was proven wrong by Akash Deep's menacing new ball spell.

Gill started the proceedings with Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna as the visitors began the final day in search of the remaining seven English wickets. His decision was questioned by Shastri on-air.

The former India head coach felt that Siraj should’ve started off as he’s the senior-most bowler in the squad and the leading wicket-taker of the match.

“I can’t believe that the senior-most bowler, the man who has taken the maximum number of wickets in this game, is not bowling. Mohammed Siraj, six in the first innings, one in the second. He’s watching from mid-on as his junior partners are bowling. He’d be hoping they strike, otherwise he would be itching to get the ball,” Shastri said.

But Akash repaid the faith of his captain and got India off to a rollicking start to the day. The right-arm seamer added a couple more scalps to his overnight tally of two wickets by dismissing Ollie Pope (24) and Harry Brook (23) in quick succession.

As a result, Akash Deep managed to register his best bowling figures in an innings as England were reduced to 83/5 in the daunting chase of 608 runs.

Washington Sundar got rid of England captain Ben Stokes at the stroke of Lunch as the hosts head into the second session with 153/6 on the board.