India avoid follow-on as third Australia Test heads for draw

AFP | Brisbane
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India avoided the follow-on in the third Test against Australia in Brisbane, thanks to a crucial 10th-wicket partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep. The partnership, worth 39 runs, helped India reach 252-9, trailing Australia by 193 runs as the match heads toward a likely draw.

At the time of their arrival at the crease, India needed 33 runs to avoid the follow-on. Despite gloomy skies and rain delays, Bumrah and Deep faced Australia's formidable pace attack with determination. Deep played a vital role, scoring a boundary off Pat Cummins just past Nathan McSweeney's outstretched hand, followed by a massive six over deep mid-wicket. The umpires then called for the players to leave the field due to bad light with India still at 252-9.

KL Rahul, who top-scored with 84, praised the lower-order batting, noting the team's fight and the bowlers' efforts in their batting development. "The lower order scoring runs is something we discuss in our meetings. The bowlers work really hard on their batting as well, so it’s good to see them get that partnership. Avoiding the follow-on makes a huge difference," Rahul said.

Australia’s pace attack, without the injured Josh Hazlewood, saw Cummins (4-80) and Mitchell Starc (3-83) working hard to take wickets. However, rain interruptions marred the day's play, with India slowly inching closer to the follow-on target despite losing wickets at critical moments. Bumrah and Deep’s resistance under dark skies and light rain ensured India avoided the follow-on.

Australia's bowling coach, Daniel Vettori, admitted that the only way to force the game was to enforce the follow-on, and there was "desperation" to get the final wicket.

The day began with India at 51-4, and Rahul was dropped by Steve Smith on the first ball. Rahul capitalized on the missed opportunity and reached 50 with a lovely cover drive before rain halted play. After the break, he added 51 more runs before Smith made amends with a stunning one-handed catch at first slip to dismiss Rahul just before lunch.

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja then put together a solid 53-run partnership. However, Cummins broke through when Reddy was dismissed for 16, leaving Jadeja to try and avoid the follow-on with the lower order.