India avoid follow-on in massive boost to save the test as Rahul, Jadeja and the tail show dogged resistance.
India avoid follow-on after last wicket pair put on 39 to take the test in a fifth day.
With their final-wicket combination scoring an incredible, unbeaten 39 to lead their team above the follow-on line, India took a huge stride towards departing Brisbane with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy still tied. Australia’s chances of winning this third Test have significantly decreased with one day of play left, especially with Josh Hazlewood’s absence.
His two excellent fast-bowling friends took on a tremendous workload in Hazlewood’s absence, taking 60% of India’s innings in 74.5 overs, with Mitchell Starc taking three wickets and Pat Cummins taking four.
However, they were unable to prevent India from surpassing the magic number of 246. The entire toll of facing a depleted attack with an old ball on a ground that is primarily used for new-ball cricket was taken by Ravindra Jadeja, who contributed 77 superbly managed runs, and KL Rahul, who survived a missed chance off the first ball of the day, a premonition of Australia’s fortunes, and went on to score 84. However, India was still 33 runs shy of forcing Australia to bat again when Cummins removed Jadeja with a clean short ball.
Then, reflecting Australia’s precarious situation, Akash Deep partnered Jasprit Bumrah in a partnership of incredible assurance. Bumrah finished the day with a control percentage of 86 and Akash 90. It also demonstrated the pair’s batsmanship and tenacity. Akash finished on 27 off 31 after hitting two fours and a six, while Bumrah struck Cummins for six on his way to 10 from 27 balls.
After Akash slashed Cummins over a jumping gully fielder, India passed the follow-on mark. Two balls later, he sent him for a huge six over wide long-on after clearing his front leg. After one more ball, the umpires called the players off the pitch for poor lighting, making it the final scoring attempt of the day.
Although not as much as on day three, it was nevertheless another stop-start day at the Gabba, and if it prevented Australia’s exhausted attack from tiring, it also cost them more playing time. Throughout the day, just 57.5 overs were feasible. By the end of it, Australia were ruing events at its very beginning.