Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep turned the tide for India in dramatic fashion, ensuring the visitors avoided the follow-on against Australia in the ongoing third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia at the Gabba Test in Brisbane.
Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep’s determined last-wicket partnership frustrated Australia, as the duo put together an unbeaten stand of 38 runs and ensured India avoided the follow-on, a moment that seemed unlikely earlier in Day 4 of the ongoing Gabba Test.
Australia left frustrated as Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep save India from follow-on at The Gabba
Akash Deep displayed composure with the bat and remained unbeaten on 27, while Bumrah held his ground with a gritty 10* as the pair battled through tough conditions and helped Team India cross the crucial 246-run mark against Australia in the crucial third Test in Brisbane.
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The Australian bowlers toiled hard but couldn’t break through, as the Indian lower order showed resilience, tiring out the attack and leaving the hosts with work to do with the bad light bringing an early end to the play of Day 4 at The Gabba on Tuesday, December 17.
However, the Australian spinner Nathan Lyon remained positive despite them missing the chance to enforce a follow-on against India. He praised the Australian team’s efforts, especially with a bowler down, for pushing India to nine wickets. Lyon emphasized the focus on finishing the final wicket, using the new ball effectively against the Indian team on Day 5.
Nathan Lyon proud of Australia’s efforts despite missing follow-on
Nathan Lyon was quoted as saying by ABC Sports: “I feel like I’m pretty proud of the team’s efforts. Especially when a bowler goes down (injured Josh Hazlewood), you’ve usually only got three bowlers and get them nine down. Yes, we missed a follow-on by so many runs, but it’s something we can still be pretty proud of, how we’ve driven this game.
I feel like the new ball is going to be pretty naughty on that wicket, so hopefully, we get this final wicket, have a bit of fun with the bat, and might even slide up to number three but then get back to work. I think you’ve got to look at the positives.”
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Lyon believes that there is still plenty of cricket left in the ongoing Gabba Test, as he pointed out that Australia has a strong lead of 193 runs and expects the new ball to be effective on the tricky wicket. He hopes for clear weather to allow a full day of play, promising an entertaining final day in Brisbane.
Nathan Lyon shares an update on Josh Hazlewood’s fitness
Sharing an update on Josh Hazlewood, the Australian spinner said, “He’s pretty flat. Obviously went through that last year when I did the similar thing. So, I understand, finally understand how they feel. I’ve never experienced that until last year. So, he’s pretty flat, but we’ll get around him and show a bit of care and a bit of love to the big fella, that’s for sure.”
The Australian team will have to score as much as they can in the first hour so that they can continue to put pressure on India, as they would be inspired to win the Gabba Test after Bumrah-Akash’s heroics and, if not that, at least draw the third Test to keep their hopes alive in the Test series.
