Former India pacer Irfan Pathan explained in detail how Akash Deep’s delivery to clean bowl Joe Root in the second Test at Edgbaston was perfectly legal, unlike the unnecessary controversy being created by the English media in the UK.

Akash Deep's ball that sent Joe Root reeling in the second India vs. England Test at Edgbaston has generated a lot of discussion. With the game on the line, Root was out for just six runs.  

After Root was fired, England fell to 50/3 and were in terrible shape. At the end of the fourth day, England was 72/3 and needed 536 runs to win. However, India won by 336 runs to tie the series 1-1.

Here is the video:

The ball should have been chalked off as a back-foot no-ball, according to some parts of the English media, which fueled criticism following England's loss.

Irfan Pathan, a former cricket player for India, put a stop to the dispute by providing broadcasters with a breakdown video that explains why Akash Deep's delivery was lawful.

The former India pacer clarified that Akash Deep's heel landed beyond the crease after making the first touch with the back foot inside it. Because the first foot contact with the pitch is taken into account for determining a back-foot no-ball, this is the reason it is not a no-ball.

Pictures of Akash Deep's back foot going too far have been making the rounds. However, Pathan slowed down the run-up video to demonstrate how Akash Deep's toes made their initial contact with the pitch way inside. His heel then touches down outside.

“There is a controversy being created by English media and then also on social media. It’s been shown that the ball was a no-ball. Lekin asli kahaani kya hai? (But what’s the real story?) The real story starts a few frames before (the photo shared on social media). The contact point is what matters. If the contact point was on the line, then it would be a no-ball. But because the contact point is inside, it is a legal delivery,” Pathan said in a video for Sony Sports Network.

“That’s why it’s not a no-ball. Legally he’s taken a good wicket. Skillfully, he took the wicket. The delivery from Akash Deep — which we said was wide of the crease — his foot on the back crease is out. Looks like by about two inches. Maybe a little bit more. But comfortably. So, his back foot, which needs to land within the line, just taps about two inches over the line. Not picked up!” Pathan added.

Here is the video: