Following India's dominant 336-run victory over England in the second Test at Edgbaston, which leveled the five-match series 1-1, England captain Ben Stokes lauded the exceptional performance of Indian pacer Akash Deep. Stokes acknowledged that India outplayed England in all aspects of the game and praised Akash Deep's incredible skillset and relentless accuracy.

Akash Deep's match-winning performance, which included a ten-wicket haul, played a crucial role in India's first-ever Test win at Edgbaston. His ability to consistently attack the stumps from a good length and effectively use angles proved to be a major challenge for the English batsmen. Stokes specifically highlighted Akash Deep's skill in exploiting a crack on the pitch, stating that the bowler was "zoning in on that crack" and that some deliveries were unplayable.

Stokes admitted that England struggled to capitalize on crucial moments in the game, particularly when India were 200 for 5 in their first innings. He also acknowledged that the Edgbaston pitch, as the game progressed, seemed to favor the Indian team's strengths. Despite the defeat, Stokes credited India for their superior performance as a batting and bowling unit. He specifically praised Shubman Gill, the Indian captain, for his "unbelievable game with the bat". Gill led from the front, scoring 269 and 161 runs in the match, helping India post a formidable total.

Akash Deep's journey to success is an inspiring one. He transitioned to Bengal to pursue his cricketing dream. He made his first-class debut for Bengal in the 2019–20 Ranji Trophy. In February 2024, he received his maiden Test callup for the home Test series against England. On February 23, 2024, Akash Deep received his maiden Test cap before the start of the fourth Test at Ranchi. He picked up the wickets of England's top three batters in the first inning.

Akash Deep's remarkable achievement places him in an elite category. He became the first bowler in 49 years to dismiss four of England's top five batsmen in a Test innings. The last bowler to achieve this feat was West Indies legend Michael Holding in 1976.

Looking ahead to the third Test at Lord's, Stokes emphasized the importance of his team's physical recovery and mental reset. He acknowledged the need to learn from the defeat and come back stronger. Despite the setback, Stokes remained optimistic and expressed confidence in his team's ability to bounce back in the remaining matches of the series.

The India tour of England in 2025 includes five Test matches and is part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship. After the second Test, the series is level at 1-1.