Akash Deep: Inspired by Dhoni and Kohli’s Wisdom
Akash Deep, the talented Indian fast bowler, has shared how cricket legends MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli motivated him with their valuable advice. They encouraged him to work hard and believe in himself to achieve success. At just 28 years old, Deep showcased his skills during the 2025 Test series against England, where he took an impressive 13 wickets in three matches.
Making history, Deep became only the second Indian bowler to take 10 wickets in a Test in England, following Chetan Sharma’s milestone in 1986. His remarkable performance at Edgbaston featured four wickets in the first innings and six in the second, finishing the match with outstanding figures of 10 for 187.
In a recent interview, Deep shared, “Virat always says that if you doubt your abilities, practice until those doubts disappear. Dhoni emphasizes that practice builds confidence. Cricket is all about self-belief, which comes from hard work.”
Tackling Challenges at The Oval
Deep also discussed India’s strategy during the Test match at The Oval, where they decided not to take the second new ball. He explained that the older ball was still producing good movement, which led them to keep using it. He acknowledged that the pitch had become easier to bat on, making runs difficult to come by.
“The final match was crucial as we were down 2-1, so we had to remain focused. There were moments when the pitch seemed lifeless, and we worried about losing. But then the ball started moving again, and with the crowd cheering us on, we felt we could turn it around,” Deep recounted.
He highlighted the presence of experienced legends in the dressing room and noted that scoring runs with an older ball was challenging because it didn’t come off the bat easily. Their plan was to make use of the movement to secure wickets, and if necessary, they would switch to the new ball.
In a thrilling finish on the final day at The Oval, India triumphed by a mere six runs against England, tying the series at 2-2. England, chasing a target of 374, was seemingly in control at 347 for six, but they crumbled to 367 all out within an hour.
Mohammed Siraj was a standout performer, claiming five wickets, including the crucial yorker that dismantled Gus Atkinson’s defense. Prasidh Krishna also played a key role, capturing significant wickets to support the team.
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