Watch: Gambhir, Kohli Celebrate as India Avoid Follow-On in Brisbane Test

A strong partnership between Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah helped India avoid the follow-on on Day 4 of the third Test match between Australia and India at the Gabba. Virat Kohli and coach Gautam Gambhir exchanged high fives in a widely shared video after India narrowly avoided the follow-on match against Australia on Tuesday, December 17.

Australia scored a huge 445 in the first innings, and India needed 195 runs to escape the follow-on after starting the day at 51/4. KL At first, Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja kept the ship afloat with Rahul's 84 and Jadeja's valiant 77. But Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins caused chaos, dropping India to 213/9 and making the follow-on seem overwhelming.

With an undefeated 39-run partnership for the 10th wicket, Bumrah and Akash showed incredible tenacity and frustrated the Australian pacers. On Day 4 of the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, India overcame the follow-on mark of 246 thanks to this tenacious stand. India finished the day at 252/9 thanks to the two tail-enders poise and technical prowess under extreme duress.

Dressing room celebrations at Brisbane Test:

आकाशदीप और बुमराह ने फॉलो ऑन नहीं, संभवतः मैच बचा लिया है। #INDvsAUS #BGT2024 pic.twitter.com/mkCbE492is

— Utkarsh Singh (@UtkarshSingh_) December 17, 2024

In a moment of ferocity, Akash faced Cummins deep and played a short-of-length delivery outside off-stump. The Indian dressing room erupted in relief as the ball soared over the gully for a boundary. The significance of the event was demonstrated by the cheers from the Indian camp and the high fives that were given by coach Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.

In addition to preventing India from batting again, their vital combination created the conditions for a possible tie on the last day. With more rainy weather predicted for Wednesday, a tie seems all but certain after bad light stopped play late in the day. With an impressive 445 in their opening innings, Australia leads India by 193 runs after four days of play.

Jasprit Bumrah hit the ball over mid-wicket for a six on the fourth delivery of the same over. At the opposite end, Bumrah maintained his cool, letting his partner assault the Australians. India was 193 runs behind at 252/9 in 74.5 overs when stumps were called. With two boundaries and a six in his innings of 27 off 31 balls, Deep stayed undefeated, and Bumrah also remained undefeated after contributing a vital 10 runs off 27 deliveries. 

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