'He could have bowled well' - Irfan Pathan criticizes Indian pacer ahead of Day 5 of ENG vs IND 2025 5th Test

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed his disappointment with pacer Akash Deep’s performance ahead of Day 5 of the ongoing fifth and final Test against England at The Oval. Deep, who returned to the playing XI after missing the fourth Test due to injury, failed to make a significant impact with the ball in both innings. In the first innings, he returned with figures of 1/80 from 17 overs, and in the second, he managed 1/85 from 20 overs.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan criticized the pacer’s inability to utilize the conditions effectively. "The one bowler I am disappointed with is Akash Deep. He could have bowled well. A bowler with a straight seam is very dangerous in the last innings, but that could not happen," he remarked. With England needing only 35 more runs and India requiring four wickets on the final day, the margin for error is slim.

Pathan also warned that England batters Jamie Overton and Jamie Smith, who are currently unbeaten at the crease, have the potential to wrap up the chase for the hosts. England ended Day 4 at 339/6, chasing a target of 374. With such a narrow gap between both outcomes, the pressure is firmly on the Indian bowlers to deliver early breakthroughs.

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In contrast to his criticism of Akash Deep, Pathan heaped praise on pacer Prasidh Krishna for his impactful performance. Krishna claimed 4/62 in the first innings and has picked up three more wickets in the second. Pathan emphasized the importance of experience in key matches and was pleased with Krishna’s presence in the team during such a crucial encounter.

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Suggesting the bowling combination for the final day, Pathan said, "Start with Siraj and Prasidh tomorrow. You just have a window of 13–15 overs within which you have to pick these wickets. If it does not happen in that window, the game can finish earlier also. But it has been exciting, and I am very happy as a fan as well watching. Test cricket is alive and kicking." A win at The Oval would help India level the series 2-2 and end the five-Test contest on a high.