Akash returned with the figures of 4/88 in England's first innings at Edgbaston.
Akash picked up four wickets for 88 runs as he and Mohammed Siraj (6/70) ensured India gain a big first-innings lead of 180 runs
It had been a year since Akash made his debut for the Indian team and the seamer 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 third day's play, Akash revealed 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.
"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," Akash told reporters.
"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," he added.
In reply to India’s first innings total of 587, England were reeling at 84/5 before a stunning 303-run stand between Harry Brook (158) and Jamie Smith (184*) brought the hosts back into the game.
However, once Akash Deep broke the marathon partnership by dismissing Brook, the Three Lions suffered another collapse to be bowled out for 407.
The visitors ended the third day at 64/1, extending their lead in the second innings to 244 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal (28) was the only dismissed batter, while KL Rahul (28) and Karun Nair (7) returned unbeaten at stumps.