Akash Deep's Stump-Targeting Prowess: Broad Analyzes India Seamer's Impact in Second Test Against England

Former England pacer Stuart Broad has lauded Indian seamer Akash Deep for his impactful performance in the second Test. Broad highlighted the factors that made Akash Deep a more potent threat than the English pacers on the relatively flat Edgbaston pitch.

Akash Deep celebrates a successful dismissal during the Test match.

Broad, speaking to Sky Sports, emphasized Akash Deep's ability to target the stumps effectively. "He brings the stumps into play, nips the ball, even with the second new ball with Harry Brook (in the first innings), through the gate and off stump out of the ground," Broad observed.

He further added, "He's a real threat, and India has to use him wisely again on the final day. He's bowled wicket-taking balls. Start with him tomorrow while the ball's hard and still got a bit of newness, and then maybe if he needs a rest until the next new ball comes, that's fine."

Broad also pinpointed Akash Deep's intelligent use of the crease as a key element in dismissing Joe Root in the second innings.

"Using the crease. It's crucial. It's a skill and an art that every Test match bowler should have," Broad stated.

Broad elaborated on the advantages of varying the release point: "Every bowler should have it really. I mean, how I used to sort of view it was a batter will always line up the same to you."

"If you can change your release position by a couple of inches at a time, they're not necessarily turning their shoulders or their feet position."

"So that little movement can be that half-bat-width distance that can catch the edge or make them miss it and hit the stump."

Broad advised aspiring bowlers to hone this skill: "You should practise that in the nets, and if you're going to play league cricket this weekend, just practise changing your angles just slightly at the back end of your run."

"Just go a foot wider but still imagine you're running in at off stump and just work with that because if there's no swing in the air, you suddenly get a different angle that you can work with."