India left England reeling after reducing them to 77-3 in reply to the first innings score of 587 at stumps on Day 2 of the second Test. The batting did well in the first Test too, but it was a one-man show with the ball, with Jasprit Bumrah being the only threat. Bumrah was rested for the second Test, making the Indian bowling look bleak and inexperienced. On a flat track, not many expected India to leave England reeling at 77-3, but a superb show by Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj stunned the hosts.

Akash Deep came in as a replacement for Bumrah and made an immediate impact. In just his second over, he got the big wicket of Ben Duckett, who was caught at third slip by Shubman Gill. On the following delivery, he got Ollie Pope caught behind. Mohammed Siraj joined the party soon after and removed Zak Crawley, caught at first slip to put England in serious trouble.

Meanwhile, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood gave valuable advice to Akash Deep in 2022, and the pacer is reaping the rewards for the same. During IPL 2022, when Hazlewood and Akash Deep played together for RCB, Hazlewood would tell the Indian pacer that Test cricket was all about length and bowling on the off-stump line got him many wickets. “Stick to your strength and wait for the batsmen to commit a mistake," Hazlewood would say.

Akash Deep implemented the strategy against England, and it really worked as the host batters were found wanting, even on a flat batting surface.

India would be delighted with their position in the Test, but they can't take things for granted. England bat deep, and these are good batting conditions. India have reached a position from where losing a Test will be tough, but the team should not be settling for anything less than a win.