Indian pacer Akash Deep lavished huge praise on head coach Gautam Gambhir for continuously backing him during the recently concluded five-match Test series against England. The 28-year-old had a productive series, as he went on to take a 10-wicket haul in the Birmingham Test before scoring a match-winning 50 in the fifth & final Oval Test, which led to India leveling the series 2-2. The pacer was effusive in praise of the coach and said he believed in me more than me during the five-match series.
Akash featured in three out of the five Tests, and formed a formidable bowling partnership with Mohammed Siraj. The 28-year-old recalled the conversation he had with Gambhir after he scored his maiden Test fifty walking in as nightwatchman. He put together a crucial 131-run stand with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, enabling India to set a target of 396.
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"You aren't aware of your capabilities. See, I was telling you, you can do it. You have to play with this dedication always," Akash told PTI, quoting Gambhir's words.
"Gautam bhai is a very passionate coach. He always motivates us. He believes in me more than I believe in myself, in both my batting and my bowling," he added.
Shubman Gill has very calm head on his shoulders: Akash Deep
The pacer further went to praise India's new Test skipper Shubman Gill, who did not show any nerves leading his country for the first time. The 25-year-old went on to score 754 runs - the most by the batter across two teams, & also the most by the Indian skipper during a bilateral Test series. Akash said he never felt like playing under a new captain.
"He is a very good captain. It's not like he's a new captain. He's already been an IPL captain for a couple of years, which is a big platform, and that experience counts," Akash said.
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"With Shubman as captain, I didn't feel like I was playing for the first time. He's very supportive. When a captain backs you and understands things well, especially when you're down, it makes a big difference.
"I played in the Duleep Trophy under his captaincy last year, so it wasn't the first time. He's a cool customer with plenty of ideas, and when someone is calm, it helps in making good on-field decisions."
While Akash has kind of cemented his place in the red-ball format, the 28-year-old has a desire to play the two white-ball formats for the country as well.
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"We can't just go and talk to selectors. They're experienced people and, when they feel they need me for any format, they will call. My job is to perform and be ready for the call-up," he said.
