'Get Out Of The Way': Shastri's Take On Akash Deep-Ben Duckett Send-Off Incident

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Akash Deep's send-off to Ben Duckett in the fifth Test at The Oval sparked controversy. Ravi Shastri and Michael Atherton stressed avoiding physical contact in cricket.

Akash Deep and Ben Duckett were involved in a controversial moment that has taken over the conversation during the fifth Test of the five-match Test series for the Anderson-Gavaskar Trophy at The Oval.

Ben Duckett received a notable send-off after his dismissal by Akash Deep, who put an arm around the English batter's shoulders as he walked off the field.

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Ahead of the start of play on the third day, former India coach and player Ravi Shastri and former England cricketer Michael Atherton weighed in on the incident.

"You imagine doing that to Viv Richards. I would have hated that if a bowler puts his arms around me, having just dismissed me, stay out of the way," Michael Atherton said on SKY Sports.

"If Athers had put his hand around me, I would say 'get out of the way'," Ravi Shastri replied.

Duckett had scored 43 runs when Akash Deep dismissed him and had been hitting the Indian pacer with unorthodox shots for boundaries. Akash did manage to have the last laugh but by placing his arm around Duckett and engaging in a conversation, may have gone overboard.

"But I mean, it's a serious point actually, that as I say, it seemed good natured, and I like to give cricketers maximum leeway on the field, because it is an emotional, passionate game. I like to see them getting stuck in I don't like the match referees getting involved, but it's a non contact sport. Something like that will end in problems, so I think the match referee has to stamp that out," Atherton added.

When asked if the situation had escalated, Shatri said: "No physical contact, because it what it can lead to. I mean, Duckett, at that moment of time, might have been thinking something else. Another player, you know, with a feisty temperament, and you know, would have liked it, and could have done something which he would have regretted. You know, just because it's being watched by millions around the globe and the match referee, and where the match referee will be forced to take action because of the rules."

On Saturday, after Akask was dismissed, Ben walked over and the pair had their hands over each others' shoulders.