India were dealt a momentary scare on Day 4 of the fourth Test at Lord’s as fast bowler Akash Deep walked off the field midway through his spell with what appeared to be a hip or back-related discomfort. The incident unfolded during the 32nd over of England’s innings, when the 28-year-old seamer was seen exiting the field alongside the team physio, clutching his left hip in visible pain.
While there was no immediate update from the Indian camp regarding the nature of the injury, the sight of Deep holding his hip raised concerns in the Indian dressing room and among fans alike. What made the situation more unsettling was Deep’s recent injury history after he had been sidelined for months due to a persistent back issue that first surfaced during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in December 2024. The same problem had kept him out of a significant portion of the 2025 IPL season, where he missed several matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
After a cautious return to competitive cricket in April 2024, Deep showed signs of regaining full rhythm during the Edgbaston Test earlier in the current series. His pace, accuracy, and ability to extract movement had made him a valuable part of India’s pace battery in English conditions.
Thankfully for India, the injury on Sunday appeared less serious than initially feared. After a brief spell in the dressing room and some treatment, Deep returned to the field. However, he did not resume bowling duties for the remainder of the session, suggesting that the team management may have opted for a cautious approach. Captain Shubman Gill, in all likelihood, was advised to use the bowler sparingly to avoid aggravating the issue.
Despite his early departure, Akash Deep made a significant contribution with the ball earlier in the day. He delivered a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Harry Brook with a searing delivery that crashed into the stumps, that helped India keep the pressure on England during a crucial phase of the match.
At tea, England were 175 for 6, holding a slender lead of 175 runs after India had earlier posted 387 in their second innings, identical to England’s first-innings total.
