By Kaif - Aug 02, 2025 06:15 PM
Image Source: BCCI-X
IND vs ENG 5th Test: The Indian team sent Akash Deep as a nightwatchman on Friday, the second day of the fifth and final Test match being played against England at The Oval. This was because there were fewer overs left and the team did not want to lose the wicket of any of its main batsmen. Generally every team adopts this strategy in the remaining overs. Akash Deep saved the wicket and gave relief to India.
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It was the second day of the match and only a few overs were left for the day's play to end. The Indian team had lost a wicket. In such a situation, usually to save his main batsman for the next day, the captain sends a 'night watchman' to the crease. This is what happened when Akash Deep was sent to bat. His job was just to finish the day's play without getting out and give fresh batsmen a chance to come to the crease for the next day.
But Akash took this responsibility to a different level. He not only saved the wicket, but also stood firm against the English bowlers and played one brilliant shot after another. The maturity of an experienced batsman was visible in his batting. He scored 66 runs in his innings, which included many fours and sixes. This innings was not only memorable for his personal performance, but it also put the Indian team in a strong position in the match. As a night watchman, playing such an important and big innings is really commendable.
Indian cricket has also had some night watchmen who have proved their mettle with the bat. Let's look at the list of players who have scored the most runs in an innings as a night watchman for India:
Syed Kirmani - 101 runs:: Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Syed Kirmani tops the list. In 1979, against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, he played an unbeaten innings of 101 runs while batting as a night watchman. This is the only century scored by a night watchman for India, which is still a record.
Amit Mishra - 84 runs: In 2011 against England at the Oval, Indian spinner Amit Mishra came in as a night watchman and played a memorable innings of 84 runs. His innings played an important role in getting the team out of a difficult situation.
Akash Deep - 66 runs: Recently against England, Akash Deep scored 66 runs as a night watchman. This innings is not only an important innings in his career but it has also been recorded in the history of Indian cricket.
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The concept of a night watchman in cricket is quite old. When the day's play is about to end and a wicket falls, then there is pressure on the main batsmen of the team at that time. At the end of the day there is less light and fatigue also occurs. In such a situation, the captain sends a lower order batsman, often a bowler, whose main objective is only to save his wicket. His job is to get out the remaining few overs of the day without getting out, so that the next day the main batsmen of the team can start their innings without any pressure.
This can be a risky strategy, because the bowler is not that skilled in batting, but often it proves beneficial for the team. There are many such examples in the history of Indian cricket, when the night watchman has played his role very well.
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