Gautam Gambhir leaps off the seat as Akash Deep, Bumrah helps India avoid follow-on, Virat Kohli’s jaw drops 2 balls later

India may not win this Test match from here but they are no less than winners after what the team achieved on Day 4 of the 3rd Test match of the series against Australia in Brisbane on Tuesday. Heading into Day 4, the biggest question was whether India, with their score at 51/4, could avoid the follow-on. It looked unlikely for the most part and their chances looked next to none as they lost their ninth wicket for 213, still 33 adrift. But a tremendous backcourt effort from Jasprit Bumrah, and more importantly, Akash Deep, helped India break the 246-run mark, ensured Australia would strike again and raised hopes of what promises to be a draw as big as a win.

Hours after Bumrah’s batting credentials were questioned by a reporter, only to receive a befitting reply in response, the Indian pacer justified his remarks and remained unbeaten on 10 off 27. However, the biggest surprise came from his partner Akash Deep, who scored the majority of runs – 27 off 31 balls – in their unbeaten partnership of 39 from 54 balls which India reached 252/9 at stumps. With just three sessions left in the match and with rain expected on Wednesday, India take 99.9 per cent to Melbourne, still level with Australia at 1-1.

With more than 30 needed, the chances were slim. Until Bumrah hit a six off Pat Cummins to get the crowd going. Soon enough the ball started finding the middle of Akash’s bat. Runners started coming and with authority. Akash and Bumrah collected plenty of doubles and ran phenomenally well to bring the required runs to within 10. One over later, with four to go, Akash Cummins ripped over the slip cordon to spark euphoria inside the Indian dressing room. Head coach Gautam Gambhir kept quiet until he jumped out of his seat to celebrate. Virat Kohli was there as usual with aggressive high-fives.

Watch Team India go crazy below:

And that wasn’t all. Akash celebrated India avoiding the follow-on by smoking Cummins deep over long-on into the stands, while Kohli, almost like a fanboy, admired it wide-eyed. After the next dot ball, play was stopped due to poor light, only to be called off moments later, giving India plenty of reasons to cheer.

Jadeja, Rahul set the platform

Akash and Bumrah’s steely resolve was the perfect follow-up to Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul, whose gritty half-centuries rescued India from a hole. With captain Rohit Sharma departed for just 10, Jadeja and Rahul added 67 runs for the fifth wicket to give India hope – if little – of staying alive in the contest. Rahul was yet to add to his overnight score of 33 when he hit the first ball of the day straight to Steve Smith at second slip, but the former Australian captain, as confident as it gets when it comes to taking catches, lost a sitter. Rahul continued and completed his second half-century of the series.

Jadeja gave him company at the other end. Playing his first Test in the series, he lived up to his designation of world no. 1 all-rounder where he scored 77 with 7 fours and a six.

For the first time since their victory in Perth, India have shown courage and are expected to carry it forward tomorrow, come what may. India still trail by 193 runs. Australia will certainly strike to warm themselves up for the Boxing Day Test starting on December 26.