I wish Microsoft had done this to my deleted Hotmail, instead some random person got my email, and potentially access to every website I ever registered to with said email...
Google's support page says they don't recycle usernames, ever so once an email is registered that's it, even after they delete the account. However, the by product of that is you won't be able to re-register that email. Once its gone, its gone forever.
FWIW I am unable to register a gmail for an account I deleted probably 8 years ago at this point. That said I don't know if there is anywhere where it explicitly outlines if it is or is not possible.
Oh funny. They started the recovery process then wanted me to add a phone number so they can send a recovery code. In spite of them first sending a recovery code to the email that I do control and me entering it.
I pressed 'try another way' and they told me they don't have enough information to prove the account is mine.
Fuck off Google basically. They could at least be honest and state that a phone number is required, instead of pretending that it's for verification.
Even if you provide a phone number, it will never send the required code or information and you will still be locked out of your account.
That is how I am locked out of a gmail account... eventhough I have the right username/password, and backup email, and typed in a phone number, Google won't let me back in.
