Akash Deep. Pic Credits: Getty Images
Akash Deep. Pic Credits: Getty Images
Cricket ENG vs IND ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle

ENG vs IND : Akash Deep Reveals Gautam Gambhir’s Pep Talk Helped Him To Shine

July 5, 2025
Anup Konnur

Tales of perseverance and passion often shape the narratives of emerging talents in cricket. The journey of Akash Deep, born in Bihar and graduated out of Ranji Trophy for Bengal, epitomizes this very spirit, as he defied all odds to chase his dream of playing for Team India with unwavering determination.

Now we take a brief look at Akash Deep‘s upbringing and his meteoric rise from an aspiring young cricketer to India’s Test player number 313.

Akash Deep’s sensational 4-fer at Edgbaston

Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj shone with the ball as India bowled out England for 407 in their first innings to take the all-important lead. Akash struck twice on the second day’s play and dismissed Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks. He followed up with two wickets on the third day to take a four-for in his first outing in England. On day 3, he scalped the crucial wicket of Harry Brook, who scored a crucial 158 off 234 balls.
After the end of the day’s play, the right-arm pacer said that he wasn’t sure of playing the Lord’s Test despite his heroics in Birmingham. He made his Test debut against England in February 2024. This is his first Test appearance since December 2024. However reflecting on his performance at the post day press conference Aakash Deep opens on the motivation he received from Gautam Gambhir.

Gautam Gambhir always says positive things- Akash Deep

India pacer Akash Deep revealed the motivational message he got from India coach Gautam Gambhir after his fine performance with the ball in the first innings of the Edgbaston Test on Friday, July 4. Akash Deep picked up four wickets for 88 runs as he and Mohammed Siraj ensured India took a big lead heading into the second innings.

It had been a year since Akash made his debut for the Indian team and the pacer was constantly seen chatting with Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel in the nets. When asked about this during the press conference at the end of the day’s play, the pacer said that Gambhir was sharing his experience and claimed that the Indian coach has given him a lot of confidence ever since he has joined the team.

Akash said that the confidence he gained from Gambhir’s words was shown on the field during his performance.

“He was sharing his experience, and as a coach, the kind of confidence a player needs—he has given me that ever since I joined the team. That very confidence reflected in my performance during the match. When you know that your coach is backing you so strongly and speaking to you in a way that builds your belief, it automatically gives you inner confidence, which then shows on the field,” said Akash.

The pacer said that Gambhir motivated him by saying that he has skills that he is unaware at the moment and felt it was very important for a cricketer like him. Akash felt that such words can drive up the confidence of a cricketer like him

“He always says positive things. He tells me, ‘You might not even know the kind of skill you possess, the talent in your hands.’ That kind of motivation is very important for a cricketer. Honestly, sometimes we’re not even able to read ourselves properly. But when someone with that much experience says something like that about you, your confidence naturally goes up,” said Aakash.

The Shubman Gill-led side further finished the day on 64/1 with KL Rahul (28*) and Karun Nair (7*) at the crease, leading by 244 runs.India will be eager to take their lead past 400 on Day 4 and post a daunting target for England to chase in the fourth innings.

Also Read: ENG vs IND : Shubman Gill Appointed Test Skipper For Red Ball

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