India faced a tough battle on Day 4 of the Brisbane Test against Australia, trailing by 193 runs after their first innings. With 9 wickets down, India needed significant contributions from their lower order to avoid the follow-on. Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep rose to the occasion, staging a crucial partnership to ensure India’s survival in the Test match.
Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep counterattack with resilience
Bumrah and Akash Deep displayed remarkable composure and determination at the crease. Bumrah, who has been a key figure in India’s bowling attack, showcased his versatility by playing a vital knock of 10 runs off 27 deliveries, adding crucial runs while exhibiting patience. Meanwhile, Akash Deep contributed a vital 27 off 31 balls, showcasing a mix of caution and aggression. Their stand of 37 runs for the final wicket provided the much-needed boost to India’s total.
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins’ respective contributions for Australia
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins led the Australian bowling attack, relentlessly probing the Indian tail-enders. Starc struck three crucial wickets, including that of Siraj, while Cummins dismissed four key Indian batters, finishing with figures of 4/80. However, despite their efforts, Australia could not finish off the Indian innings, allowing Bumrah and Akash Deep to delay the follow-on.
India’s batting struggles persist but late resilience averts follow-on
The Indian top and middle order faced persistent challenges throughout the innings, with only KL Rahul managing to hold fort for a substantial period with 84 runs. Ravindra Jadeja also contributed well with the bat and scored 77 crucial runs. The remaining batters, including Kohli, Jaiswal, and Pant, failed to build partnerships, leaving India in a precarious position. However, Bumrah’s and Deep’s lower-order heroics prevented Australia from enforcing the follow-on, ensuring India’s second innings chance to mount a comeback.
Also WATCH: Steve Smith takes a sharp catch of KL Rahul to redeem his earlier mistake on Day 4 of the third Test
Australia’s bowling attack falls short of finishing job
Despite their dominance, Australia’s bowlers struggled to close out the Indian innings. Starc and Cummins delivered aggressive spells, but lapses in consistency allowed Bumrah and Deep to extend the game. Nathan Lyon also chipped in with a wicket, but the lack of control and pressure from the other bowlers meant India had enough time to rebuild for the second innings.
India began the day trailing by 193 runs with 9 wickets down. Rahul (84) showed resistance, but once he fell, hopes of avoiding the follow-on seemed grim. However, Bumrah (10 not out) and Akash Deep (27) stitched a vital partnership, frustrating the Australian bowlers. Starc and Cummins picked up crucial lower-order wickets, but their efforts fell short. India’s innings ended at 252, reducing the follow-on deficit. Australia’s bowling attack, led by Starc and Cummins, app
Here’s how fans reacted:
That reaction in the Indian dressing room after the follow-on was avoided tells you why Test cricket will continue to thrive. Test cricket has more drama than any other sport. #AUSvIND
— Sumit (@SumitPurohit) December 17, 2024
Akashdeep is the 3rd top scorer for India now, the main batters shud be shameful to see this, had they shown a bit more patience we cud have been in a much stronger position today. Anyways, it was a great fightback by lower order supported with a great knock by KL🏏👏🏾🔥 #AUSvIND
— Sanskar Gemawat (@thatSanskariGuy) December 17, 2024
Akashdeep & Bumrah showing how to bat, avoid follow on, if require bash Aus bowlers even for sixes. Top order shld take tution from them everyday to avoid getting insulted on field & on TV.
Bonus part: They also bowls & take wickets also.👏🏻🥳
— Wicked Sunny (@Smart_Ladkaa) December 17, 2024
Death, Taxes and Australia’s inability to finish off a tail. #AUSvIND #BorderGavaskarTrophy
— Alchemist🇦🇺🇮🇹🇳🇱 (@TwiddyWadda) December 17, 2024
Maybe ICT should try batting in reverse order if we get to bat again#INDvsAUS #AUSvIND
— Anisht Dev (@cricketcoast) December 17, 2024
India have gone from ‘believe on Jassi bhai’ with the ball to ‘believe on Jassi bhai’ with the bat #AUSvIND
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) December 17, 2024
KL & Jadeja the only contributors here for India in this first innings . But weather has made the draw inevitable #AUSvIND
— John Wright (@johnwright15) December 17, 2024
It’s funny but Bumrah and Akash Deep may not have the technique but have more mental determination than Virat or Rohit while batting.#BGT2024 #AUSvIND
— Advitiya Awasthi (@aawasthilaw) December 17, 2024
Celebrating their success is good, but Batters need to like reflect and see how these two survived and grinded out those runs. Learn from them. #AUSvIND 🏏
— Kartik O 🏏⚽🔗 (@KOCricket528) December 17, 2024
They all should bow down to Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep. pic.twitter.com/3Ha9kOYVOb
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) December 17, 2024
Australia getting saved by bad light and rain. We won’t forget Team India’s Gabba domination.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) December 17, 2024
Follow-on or no Follow-on, if this fight from Bumrah and Akash Deep with the bat doesn’t inspire those top order dinosaurs to fight it out in the 2nd innings then nothing will.
— Bishontherockz (@BishOnTheRockx) December 17, 2024
It will be 1-1 going to Melbourne.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 17, 2024
Day 4, Stumps
India avoid the follow on and trail by 193 runs 🏏
Akash deep: 27*
Jasprit Bumrah: 10*#Cricket #AUSvIND #Akashdeep #GabbaTest pic.twitter.com/QHritfUp6s— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 17, 2024
Also READ: AUS vs IND: Jasprit Bumrah pokes fun at a journalist after being quizzed on his batting record
