Watch: Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli celebrate wildly in dressing room as India avoid follow-on in Brisbane

On Day 4 at the Gabba during the third Test between India and Australia, India managed to avoid the follow-on thanks to a fighting partnership between Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah. The duo’s unbeaten 10th-wicket stand of 39 runs ensured that the visitors crossed the 250-run mark, lifting the hopes of the Indian camp.

Starting the day at 51/4, India needed 195 runs to avoid the follow-on after Australia posted a massive first-innings total of 445. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja initially steadied the ship, with Rahul scoring an 84 and Jadeja contributing a fighting 77. However, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc wreaked havoc, reducing India to 213/9 and leaving the follow-on appear large. The Australian bowlers, particularly Cummins with figures of 4/80, pushed India on the backfoot. But the Indian lower order, led by Akash Deep and Bumrah, had other plans. 

Deep, facing Cummins in an intense moment, Akash played a short-of-length delivery outside off-stump. The ball flew over the gully for a boundary, leaving the Indian dressing room into a relieved celebration. The roar from the Indian camp, with high-fives exchanged between Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and coach Gautam Gambhir, showed the significance of the moment.

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On the fourth delivery of the same over, he sent the ball soaring over mid-wicket for a six. Bumrah, at the other end, held his composure, allowing his partner to take the attack to the Australians.

By the time stumps were called, India reached 252/9 in 74.5 overs, trailing by 193 runs. Deep remained unbeaten on 27 off 31 balls, a knock that featured two boundaries and a six, while Bumrah stood unbeaten too, having contributed a crucial 10 runs off 27 deliveries.