ENG vs IND: "You might not know.." Akash Deep reveals head coach Gautam Gambhir's motivational message

Akash Deep captured a four-wicket haul in the first innings of the Edgbaston test.

Indian pacer Akash Deep delivered a stunning performance in the first innings of the ongoing second test against England. England Cricket Team and India are wrestling in second of the five-match test series at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Pacer Akash Deep replaced Jasprit Bumrah in the playing XI in the second test as the latter was rested to manage his workload. The right-arm pacer hunted four wickets for 88 runs during his 20-over spell in the first innings. Mohammed Siraj clinched a six-wicket haul, and both pacers helped India bowl out England for 407.

Earlier, India piled up 587/10 in the first innings with a double century by Shubman Gill (269). For England, Harry Brook (158) and Jamie Smith (184*) hammered centuries. However, India earned a huge lead of 180 runs after the end of the first innings.

Akash Deep reveals Gautam Gambhir’s motivational message

At the end of day 3, Akash revealed that coach Gautam Gambhir always motivates him with his positive messages.

“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,” said Akash during the post-day press conference.

“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 further said.

Akash also revealed that Gambhir has always helped him to build his confidence, which has helped him to perform well on the field.

“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”, he said.

“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,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, India have extended their lead over 350 in the second innings on day 4 of the game. Earlier, England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bowl first. The hosts lead the series 1-0 after winning the opening game by five wickets.

The Shubman Gill & Co. aim to script history at Edgbaston with a victory as India have never defeated England in tests at this venue in the past.

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