On day four of the Brisbane Test, India successfully avoided the follow-on, thanks to a determined last-wicket stand between Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah. This partnership significantly hampered Australia’s chances of winning, especially after Josh Hazlewood’s injury.
Akash Deep played an aggressive role in the partnership to alleviate the pressure, while Bumrah, at the other end, provided solid support.
Akash Deep’s edged boundary off Cummins, sailing over the gully fielder, secured the avoidance of the follow-on, leading to jubilant celebrations in the Indian camp.
A few balls later, Akash Deep struck a six off Cummins, then blocked the next delivery before bad light stopped play.
At stumps, Akash Deep remained unbeaten on 27, with Bumrah on 10. Their 39-run partnership brought India’s total to 252 for nine, still trailing Australia’s first-innings total of 445 by 193 runs.
A heartwarming anecdote emerged about Akash Deep, involving Indian batting star Virat Kohli. During the first Test against Bangladesh, Kohli surprised Akash Deep in his Chennai hotel room with a thoughtful gift.
“Bat chaiye kya tujhe?” (Do you need a bat?)
Akash Deep, taken aback, eagerly accepted the brand-new bat from Kohli.
“Yeh le, rakh le yeh bat.”
Akash Deep, overwhelmed by the gesture, promptly asked Kohli for an autograph on the bat and gave him a hug.
“I will never play with that bat. It’s a huge gift from Virat bhaiya, and I will keep it as a souvenir,” Akash Deep told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.
This unbroken 39-run partnership between Akash Deep and Bumrah has significantly reduced India’s chances of defeat. Australia, now needing to bat again, has limited time to take the remaining ten wickets.
Their task is further complicated by Hazlewood’s calf injury, which has ruled him out of the rest of the Test match. He is also expected to miss the remaining matches of the five-Test series, currently tied at 1-1.
The 27-year-old from Sasaram has shown promise in his nascent Test career. He made his debut against England in Ranchi, taking three wickets. He then followed up with two wickets in his second Test against Bangladesh.