NEW DELHI: The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has officially addressed the controversy surrounding Joe Root’s dismissal during the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston, stating that the delivery by Indian pacer Akash Deep was well within the laws of the game.
The controversy erupted on Day Four, when Root was clean bowled by Akash Deep. However, several fans and commentators questioned the legality of the delivery, pointing out that the bowler’s back foot appeared to touch the return crease, which could have made it a no-ball. Despite the uproar, the third umpire allowed the dismissal, and now the MCC has backed that call.
In a statement released by the MCC, the governing body clarified:
“While Deep landed unusually wide on the crease, and some of his back foot appeared to touch the ground outside the return crease, the third umpire did not call a no ball. MCC is happy to clarify that this was a correct decision in Law.”
Explaining further, the MCC noted, “For a delivery to be fair in respect of the feet, the bowler’s back foot must land within and not touching the return crease. The critical moment is the first point of contact with the ground, and as long as that is within the crease, the delivery is considered fair.”
The MCC’s clarification brings closure to what had become a major talking point among cricket fans and analysts during a high-stakes Test match.
Meanwhile, the match itself was one for the history books. The relatively unknown Akash Deep, a 28-year-old fast bowler from Sasaram in Bihar, seized the spotlight in the absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Playing a pivotal role in India’s emphatic 336-run win, Deep delivered a stunning performance, claiming a match-haul of 10 wickets, including a career-best 6/99 in England’s second innings.
India’s victory not only leveled the five-match series 1-1, but also broke a 58-year-old winless streak at Edgbaston, a venue where India had never won a Test before.
With his accuracy and composure, Akash Deep has now firmly announced his arrival on the international stage — and with the MCC’s endorsement, his landmark moment against Joe Root will remain a rightful highlight of the match.
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