The rain-affected third Test at the Gabba ended in a draw. The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) is now tied at 1-1, with two matches left in Melbourne and Sydney. One partnership from the match will always be remembered for saving the game for India.
Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep’s heroics lifted the dressing room’s mood by helping India avoid the follow-on in their first innings. This is not the first time a surprising partnership from the lower order has saved India, especially in the last five years. Here are some significant game-changing partnerships:
47 runs – Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep, Brisbane
After losing the series opener in Perth, Australia bounced back in Adelaide. They then batted brilliantly at the Gabba, scoring 445 runs in their first innings. In reply, India struggled and lost nine wickets for just 213.
Bumrah (10*) and Akash Deep (31) showed great determination, adding 47 runs for the last wicket. Their effort helped India reach 260 and avoid the follow-on. This bought India more time and forced Australia to bat again.
The way Bumrah and Akash played against bowlers like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon was remarkable. Their partnership became a key moment in the match. Whether it will also be a series-defining one for Rohit Sharma and his team remains to be seen.
62* runs – Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari, Sydney
The third Test of the 2021 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). India faced a massive target of 407 runs in the fourth innings. They lost half their side for 272 runs in 89 overs.
With the series tied, Australia smelled victory, which would give them a crucial lead and momentum heading into the final Test at the Gabba. However, for the sixth wicket, Ashwin and Vihari put up an unbeaten partnership of 62 runs. They batted for 42.4 overs, showing immense grit and determination.
The match ended in a hard-fought draw for India. Later, it was revealed that Vihari had played through a serious hamstring injury, while Ashwin battled back pain. Despite their struggles, this partnership turned into a series-defining one. India went on to win the Gabba Test and clinched the series 2-1.
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89* runs – Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, Lord’s
India drew the first Test of the 2021 five-match series against England at Nottingham. In the second game at Lord’s, India started strong, scoring 364 runs in their first innings. England responded well and took a lead of 27 runs. This meant India needed a solid total in their second innings to give their bowlers a chance to bowl England out.
However, things looked bleak when India lost eight wickets for just 209, with a lead of only 182. That was when Bumrah and Shami stepped up, shocking everyone with an unbeaten 89-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Shami remained not out on 56, hitting six fours and one six, while Bumrah contributed 34.
India declared at 298/8, setting England a target of 272 runs. Then, the Indian pace attack—Bumrah, Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Ishant Sharma—destroyed England’s batting lineup, bowling them out for just 120. India won by 151 runs, creating history at the Mecca of Cricket.
114 runs – Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel, Delhi
India started the 2023 home Test series against Australia with a win in Nagpur, as expected. Fans were confident the momentum would continue in Delhi for the second match. However, Australia had other plans.
Batting first, Australia scored 263. Their spinners then dominated, dismantling India’s batting order. The hosts were struggling at 139/7, staring at a big deficit. That was when Ashwin (37 off 71) and Axar (74 off 115) put together a crucial 114-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Their effort helped India reach 262, trailing by just one run.
The pair skillfully handled the spin trio of Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, and Matthew Kuhnemann. In their second innings, Australia collapsed, getting bowled out for just 113. India chased down the 115-run target comfortably, taking a 2-0 lead in the series.
123 runs – Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur, Brisbane
The series was tied 1-1, setting the stage for the final Test of the 2021 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba. India came into the match after a spirited fight in the Sydney draw, while Australia were the firm favourites, boasting a 33-year unbeaten streak at the venue.
With a relatively new bowling attack, India bowled out Australia for 369 in the first innings. In reply, the visitors struggled, losing six wickets for just 186. Then, Washington Sundar (62) and Shardul Thakur (67) stepped up, batting for 36 overs and adding a crucial 123 for the seventh wicket. Their efforts helped India narrow the gap, restricting Australia to just a 33-run lead.
In their second innings, Australia scored 294, setting India a target of 328. India chased it down brilliantly in the fourth innings, securing a historic victory and winning the series 2-1. This triumph remains one of the most memorable in Test cricket history.
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