India finally avoided the follow-on during the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Gabba, thanks to the incredible last wicket stand between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep. Akash Deep slashed a four over gully off Pat Cummins to help India go past the follow-on score.
This prompted some serious reactions from India’s dressing room which looked highly pumped. Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir reacted wildly after Akash Deep’s boundary and were totally pumped up.
Even India’s captain Rohit Sharma looked happy and relieved inside the dressing room. The crowd was up on its feet to laud the effort of the tailenders who did a miraculous job to avoid the follow-on.
Watch: Jasprit Bumrah turns Rohit Sharma, smashes Pat Cummins for six with brilliant pull shot
Watch: Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir celebrate wildly in the dressing room
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It was a back of a length ball from Cummins and Akash Deep slashed hard at it. The gully fielder leaped high but the ball soared over him for a boundary. The Indian crowd in the ground too celebrated this moment along Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir in the dresssing room.
Akash Deep smashes a big six later
Akash Deep didn’t stop here and smashed a thunderous six a couple of balls later. Pat Cummins bowled a full length ball on off stump and Akash just cleared his front leg and smashed it over midwicket for a huge six. It prompted another great reaction from Virat Kohli.
After five balls in the over, the match was stopped due to bad light and it was officially declared stumps. Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah walked off the field to a standing ovation from the dressing room and the Brisbane crowd.
On the other hand, the Australian players were disappointed after their effort. The Australian bowlers toiled hard but were unable to enforce the follow-on on India.
Unbeaten stand between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep
India lost its ninth wicket in the form of Ravindra Jadeja, who was dismissed for a well-made 77 off 123 balls. At that time, the Men in Blue still needed 33 runs to avoid the follow-on and it seemed like Australia would pick up the final wicket anytime.
However, Bumrah and Akash had other plans. Akash arrived at No. 11 and looked soild during his innings. Bumrah even hit a gutsy pull shot off Pat Cummins for a six over fine leg. Both the players kept picking up singles and doubles consistently to help India reach closer to the follow-on target.
The partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep is currently 39 and both of them are still unbeaten at the crease. India’s vice-captain Bumrah is unbeaten on 10 off 27 balls with 1 six while Akash Deep is playing on 27 off 31 balls with 2 fours and 1 six.
With just one day left in the match, it will be hard for Australia to push for a win. However, the hosts will be looking to break this partnership first before putting a strong total on the board.