Mohammed Siraj overlooked: Sachin Tendulkar’s 'ball of the series' for England tour goes to someone else

Akash Deep cleaned up Joe Root on Day 5 of the second Test between India and England. (Photo: ICC and X)

In the 5th Test, Mohammed Siraj's delivery to Zak Crawley ignited social media. Many dubbed it the 'ball of the series' as Siraj's inch-perfect slower yorker stunned England's opener as captain Shubman Gill had set the field for a bouncer.

However, when the legendary Sachin Tendulkar sat down to assess the series, he was particularly impressed with another Indian pacer's delivery during the five-match Test series against England.

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Akash Deep's delivery to Joe Root in the second innings of the second Test was Tendulkar's favorite of the series.

In a video on ESPNCricinfo, Tendulkar said, "Mere liye mai kahunga ki that was the ball of the series jo unhone (Akash Deep) Joe Root ko daala, and that was also the turning point of the second Test match. Mujhe laga waha se shuruat hui; vo ek jo Joe Root ko rattle kar ke out kar diya usne, that was an unbelievable ball (I would pick the delivery from Akash Deep to Joe Root as the ball of the series. That also became the turning point of the second Test. Things started to turn from there because he rattled Joe Root and dismissed him).”

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"Late movement hui off the pitch aur jo batter itne ache form mein hai, usne itne sarey runs banaye hai. Usey iss tareh se out karna is not easy. Toh mere liye that was possibly the ball of the series kyuki vo critical stage par usne daala vo ball. (There was late movement off the pitch, and to dismiss someone who's in form and has so many runs behind him is not easy. For me that was the ball of the series because it occurred at a critical stage of the game)."

Sachin Tendulkar voted this delivery the "best of the series":

#AkashDeep uproots #JoeRoot with a searing in-swinger, his second wicket puts England firmly on the back foot #ENGvIND  2nd TEST, Day 4 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar  https://t.co/2wT1UwEcdi pic.twitter.com/avu1sqRrcG

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