Akash Deep Achieves Historic Half-Century on Test Debut, Inducted into Shane Warne's Exclusive Record Club for Rare Test Milestone
Akash Deep Makes History as Second Asian Player of the Century to Achieve Rare Double
Akash Deep, a 28-year-old Indian cricketer, has made history in the ongoing fifth Test at Lord's, becoming only the second Asian player this century to score a half-century and take a 10-wicket haul in a SENA series. This remarkable feat was achieved against England in the 2025 India tour of England.
Deep's score of 66 runs, made as a nightwatchman late on day 2, is the second-highest by an Indian nightwatchman in Test cricket, surpassed only by Amit Mishra's 84 against England at The Oval in 2011. His performance with the ball in the same series was equally impressive, taking 10 wickets.
This rare double is reminiscent of the performance by Shane Warne in 2005, but Warne achieved his feat not in a SENA series. Deep, however, has the opportunity to make a noticeable impact with the ball during England’s second innings.
Deep joins an elite list of five Asian players who have achieved this double, with the others being Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Chaminda Vaas, and Intikhab Alam. Alam achieved this double in the PAK tour of ENG, 1972/73, while Vaas achieved it in the SL tour of NZ, 1994/95.
The conditions in SENA countries, known for their challenging seam and bounce, make this feat even more impressive. Other big-name Asian bowlers with notable five-wicket hauls in SENA tests include Kapil Dev, but the combined 50+ runs with 10 wickets in a series is much rarer.
Deep's performance came off 94 balls, including 12 boundaries, before he was dismissed towards the end of the first session on Day 3 by Jamie Overton. Despite this dismissal, his impact on the match cannot be overstated, setting a new benchmark for Asian cricketers in SENA series.
Sports history was made when Akash Deep's exceptional performance in the 2025 India tour of England secured him a place among five Asian players who have achieved a rare double. He scored a half-century and took a 10-wicket haul in a SENA series, raising the bar for future Asian cricketers in challenging sports conditions.
