Brisbane: Australia vs India: Stunning scenes unfolded at the Gabba as Akash Deep slashed Pat Cummins beyond the reach of a leaping gully fielder, taking India past the crucial 246-run mark.
Just two balls later, Akash showcased his power with a front-leg-cleared slog, sending the ball soaring over the wide long-on boundary.
Earlier, Jasprit Bumrah joined the act with a brilliant hook shot for six off Cummins, sparking excitement among Indian fans.
The unbeaten last-wicket partnership between Bumrah and Akash Deep has been nothing short of spectacular.
The duo managed to take India to 252 for 9 by the time bad light stopped play.
Their unbroken 39-run stand not only frustrated Australia but also brought memories of Bumrah’s famous 10th-wicket partnership with Mohammed Shami at Lord’s in 2021.
This current effort has been equally uplifting for Indian supporters.
An interesting statistic to note here is the control percentages of the two batsmen: Bumrah at 86% and Akash Deep at 90%.
Despite being Nos. 10 and 11 in the batting lineup, they showed great composure and capitalized on an old ball bowled by a tiring Australian attack.
With Josh Hazlewood absent due to a calf strain, Australia’s bowling workload fell heavily on Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
Cummins and Starc bowled a combined 44.5 overs of India’s total 74.5 overs, carrying nearly 60% of the workload.
Nathan Lyon, Australia’s lone spinner, bowled 21 overs, further reflecting the pressure on the reduced three-man attack.
Hazlewood’s absence is a significant blow for Australia, as reports suggest he might miss the rest of the Border-Gavaskar series.
This situation could influence Australia’s approach on the final day. Ideally, they would want to wrap up India’s innings quickly, bat aggressively for an hour or so, and then push for all ten Indian wickets.
However, concerns about managing their key bowlers’ workload will play a significant role, especially with two more Test matches remaining in the series.
For India, avoiding the follow-on is a major victory in itself.
If they manage to escape Brisbane with the series still tied 1-1, it will boost their confidence to push for a historic series win in the remaining matches.
Will India hold on for a draw? The answer lies in day five’s play. Stay tuned to find out!
