Follow UsFast bowler Akash Deep is playing just his eighth Test for India since making his debut against England in Ranchi in February 2024. He is someone who is known to make early inroads, and he did the same at Edgbaston, where he got rid of Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope in quick succession to put India on top, after they put up 587.
Overall, he finished with 4/88 - his career-best figures - and with the help of Mohammed Siraj (6/70), India were able to take a 180-run lead.
Speaking of his performance, Akash says that the constant motivation from head coach Gautam Gambhir has given him confidence.
"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 said after Day 3.
"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."
India ended Day 3 in a commanding position, with a 244-run lead and have nine wickets intact. They lost the first Test at Headingley by five wickets despite setting England a target of 371.