India’s fast bowler Akash Deep has given credit to head coach Gautam Gambhir for motivating him ahead of the Test series against New Zealand. Deep has been picked for India’s Test squad for the two-match series against the Kiwis.
The fast bowler from Bengal will make a comeback after spending eight months on the sidelines due to a lower-back stress injury.
Deep scalped 13 wickets in three Test matches at an average of 36.46 against England in 2025 while playing in English conditions.
“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 Deep said. (via RevSportz)
Deep said it gives a lot of confidence to a player when the coach backs him.
He added, “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.”
Meanwhile, India has a tough road ahead to qualify for the WTC final. The Shubman Gill-led team will need to win six out of their next seven matches however, Deep is confident that they can make it to the summit clash.
He continued, “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 said.
Deep admitted it was a special feeling to bag a ten-wicket haul at Edgbaston against England.
The pacer concluded, “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.”
The first Test match between India and New Zealand will be played at Wellington from November 19.
