India bowling coach Morne Morkel heaped praise on the fast bowling pair of Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj for transcending the Edgbaston pitch and putting India on the cusp of a famous overseas win. On a surface that has remained good for batting going into the fifth day, the pair has accounted for all the 13 wickets India have taken so far, stepping up admirably in the absence of talisman Jasprit Bumrah.
INDIA TOUR OF ENGLAND, 2025
Morkel hopes to see more of Akash Deep's 'dream delivery' to Root on Day 5
Joe Root got an unplayable delivery from Akash Deep that knocked back his stumps late on Day 4 © Getty
"Very, very happy so far," Morkel said after Day 4. "We had a deep or good discussion after the last Test in terms of areas we want to improve on, and I think we've done that. So that's a pleasing sign from a growing bowling attack, missing one of their most experienced players so they can react to those sort of things."
Morkel was particularly delighted for Akash Deep, who has emerged as a point of difference between the two attacks. His ability to relentlessly attack the stumps from wide of the crease has stood out, and he produced another moment of magic late on the fourth day when he castled Joe Root with a full delivery that angled in and seamed away late.
"He is an attacking bowler that asks questions, bowling at the stumps a lot," Morkel said. "I think that's one of the golden rules here in England: asking questions on the stumps. So for these sort of conditions in the UK, it suits his style. And coming back from injury and seeing him running in with high pace, it's a nice sign for us.
"That was a dream delivery... top quality player Joe Root and to dismiss him in that fashion just shows the quality of Akash, what he can do. I think he is also a guy like all of us. The more confidence you give him, almost like there's a little bit more energy behind the ball and hopefully that delivery he will play over in his phone tonight, and then bring a couple more of those tomorrow."
The former South African quick also reserved special praise for Siraj, who has been willing to push his body to the limits for the team. While most discussions - rightly - revolve around Bumrah's workload, Siraj's tally of 3013 balls bowled since the WTC '23 final is bettered only by spinner Ravindra Jadeja. He bowled gamely on more helpful surfaces in Australia late last year without much reward, but the five-wicket haul he so often threatened to take
