Test cricket is defined by fight. That’s what India showed on day four at the Gabba. A kind of dogged determination that lights up a series and lives in fan memory for years on end. And that’s what the Indian batting unit was lacking in Adelaide. The tail wasn’t doing much, and it was clearly hurting India. With the top order looking limp, the contribution from the middle and lower-middle order assumed enormous significance. That’s what we finally got to watch at the Gabba.
At 213-9, most Indian fans had given up hope. With an hour of play still left, the fear was real. Another top-order collapse, and all of a sudden, Australia would start to smell victory. The fight shown by KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja would go in vain and the series would go downhill.
That’s when Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep paired up. No panic and, in fact, enjoying the challenge. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc tried to intimidate, but neither of the batters flinched an inch. When Cummins erred, Bumrah dispatched him over fine leg for a six. It was a shot of intent and one that exemplified how India’s vice-captain wasn’t there to be overawed. Soon after, Akash got into the act.
Offering a straight bat to Cummins, he played like an accomplished top-order player. And as India started to come close, Australia started feeling the tension. Cummins bowled a long spell and one could sense something had to give. Each run was cheered by the Indian change room and with five runs left to save the follow-on, the animation from the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir was something to behold.
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Finally, it happened. A boundary over the slips and India had saved the follow-on. Akash thumped his chest and seemed all pumped up. Bumrah, on the other hand, was the true leader. From speaking to Akash to keeping a calm demeanour, he knew what India needed. Even after the follow-on was saved, he urged Akash to stay calm and carry on. Akash, however, was determined to rub it in. The six off Pat Cummins was the shot of a man who had done something special.
While the match isn’t over yet, the truth is India will now fancy a draw from here. Much like the R Ashwin-Hanuma Vihari heist in Sydney in 2021, the Bumrah-Akash partnership at the Gabba has set up the Boxing Day Test. In 2021, India came back after Sydney to win in Brisbane and seal the series. Time will tell what will happen this time round.
One thing, however, is certain. If the match does end in a draw, India will take a lot away from the game. They will claim moral victory, while it will be a major opportunity lost for Australia. Having picked up the first five Indian wickets for 74, to not finish the innings will rankle going into Melbourne. For Akash, who has had a forgettable match with the ball, it will be a huge confidence boost.
If he was unlucky while bowling, lady luck indeed smiled on him with the bat and helped him save the follow-on. Can it make him a better bowler? It very well could, and that’s what India will expect. Bumrah badly needs support. For the moment, though, we keep thinking: what next at the Gabba? Nothing will amaze us after this.
Also Read: India Avoids Follow-On as Gabba Test Heads Towards a Draw