Indian pacer Akash Deep expressed his gratitude for head coach Gautam Gambhir, highlighting how the latter’s relentless positivity and confidence-building approach significantly impacted his mindset and motivated him to improve his all-round skills, including his batting.
Akash made a stellar competitive return in the 2026-27 Irani Cup, helping the Rest of India (ROI) secure a commanding 167-run victory over the reigning Ranji Trophy champions, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), in Srinagar.
After being sidelined for nearly eight months due to a lower-back stress fracture sustained in February, the 29-year-old quick proved his fitness and rhythm by registering a decisive match haul of 6 for 68. He also played for Bengal against Delhi in the first round of Ranji Trophy 2026-27.
Following his impactful performance where he consistently bowled over 140 km/h, Akash has been recalled to India's Test squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour. He also features in the India A squad, which will play three multi-day red-ball matches in New Zealand as part of Test preparations.
Ahead of the New Zealand tour, Akash Deep revealed how coach Gambhir’s praise left him overwhelmed and made him doubt whether he was that good himself.
"GG Sir motivates a lot and is always positive. He looks at the big things in every little thing. He motivated me to focus on my batting as well. He praises me so much that sometimes even I doubt whether I am that good. So that is a big thing for an athlete and has a lot of impact," Akash said, as quoted by RevSportz.
"When your coach gives you confidence, it certainly helps. Cricket is a game of confidence and belief. These things have an impact, and you can see it during the matches," he added.
The two-match Test series against New Zealand is a pivotal battleground for the Indian team to qualify for the 2027 World Test Championship (WTC) Final.
India face an uphill task of winning six out of their remaining seven Tests in the ongoing cycle to reach the WTC final, but Akash seemed confident as he believes anything is possible in cricket.
"This is cricket. Anything is possible. I feel we must focus on the process, day by day, match by match, session by session. If we look at it one match at a time, it can be easy. Otherwise, it will be difficult," he stated.
Akash Deep also reflected on his stunning 10-wicket match haul against England at Edgbaston in July 2025. The right-arm pacer stepped up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, registering figures of 4/48 in the first innings and a career-best 6/99 on the final day as India went on to win the game by 336 runs.
"It was a special feeling, not because I picked up ten wickets alone, but also because we won at Edgbaston and levelled the series. So those ten wickets were important for that result, and that is why it was special," Akash remarked.
