'He has got some skill...' - Steven Smith's old statement resurfaces after Akash Deep's brilliant spell in the ongoing ENG vs IND second Test

India pacer Akash Deep took four wickets in the first innings of England’s batting in the Edgbaston Test on Thursday. He bowled with good rhythm, using fuller lengths and targeting the off stump to help India restrict England to 407 runs.

He continued his great form on Day 5 and struck twice in the first session. By lunch, England had reached 153/6 in the second Test against India at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Just before lunch, Washington Sundar gave India another breakthrough by trapping Ben Stokes lbw. At the end of the first session, England were 153/6, with Jamie Smith unbeaten on 32 at the crease. England still needed 455 runs to win.

With this performance in England, many social media users remembered how Akash Deep’s ability to make the ball talk had earned him high praise from Australian batting star Steve Smith during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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“I thought Akash bowled really nicely, especially in his first spell. He was getting the ball to move with good swing. He bowled a very good length. He’s a nice bowler. It was the first time I had faced him. He has got some real skill,” said Steve Smith at the day-end press conference at the Gabba.

This is what Steve Smith told about Akash Deep, he was unlucky during BGT but getting all reward in the England Tour. ✅ pic.twitter.com/HwN2sJMECI

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 6, 2025

England started Day 5 on 72/3 in 16 overs, needing 556 runs to win, with Harry Brook on 15 and Ollie Pope on 24. India needed to take seven more wickets on the final day to level the five-match series at 1-1.

Play started late on Day 5 due to rain, with a delay of almost two hours. As a result, only 80 overs were to be bowled. Akash Deep came in strong during the first session. He dismissed both overnight batters — Ollie Pope for 24 and Harry Brook for 23 — showing his skill and control once again.

Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith then put up a 50-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Stokes hit a boundary off Siraj to bring up the partnership in the 35th over. But just before lunch, Washington Sundar removed England captain Ben Stokes for 33 runs off 73 balls, which included six fours.

Earlier in the match, England had won the toss and chose to bowl. India posted a huge total of 587 in their first innings, with Shubman Gill scoring a historic double century. Mohammed Siraj took six wickets as England were bowled out for 407, giving India a lead of 180 runs.

India then declared their second innings at 427/6, setting a massive target of 608 for England. Shubman Gill once again led from the front, scoring another century in the match.

Brief scores:

India (1st Innings): 587 (Shubman Gill 269, Ravindra Jadeja 89; Shoaib Bashir 3/167)
England (1st Innings): 407 (Jamie Smith 184*, Harry Brook 158; Mohammed Siraj 6/70)
India (2nd Innings): 427/6 declared (Shubman Gill 161, Ravindra Jadeja 69*; 2/119)
England (2nd Innings): 153/6 (Ben Stokes 33, Jamie Smith 32*; Akash Deep 4/58)

(The scorecard mentioned is as per the situation at the time of writing this article, while the match is still ongoing.)