Jasprit Bumrah is a proud cricketer. When his batting skills were questioned-albeit in a light-hearted moment at a press conference-Bumrah was quick to remind the world that he takes every aspect of his game seriously. A day after facing an awkward situation due to a cheeky question from a reporter at the Gabba, Bumrah responded emphatically, playing a potentially match-saving knock for India against Australia in the first innings of the third Test.
Bumrah was the embodiment of resolve during his gritty partnership with No. 11 Akash Deep. When India lost Ravindra Jadeja for 77 in the extended final session on Tuesday, they still required 32 more runs to avoid the follow-on.
Gabba Test, Day 4: Report | Highlights
Bumrah rose to the occasion, taking responsibility and holding off a fired-up Australian attack. He looked solid at the crease, defending confidently against both pacers and spinners in the final hour of the day’s play. Bumrah played the perfect supporting role to Akash Deep, who bravely threw his bat around to add crucial runs to India’s tally.
Nothing that Australia threw at him seemed to faze Bumrah. When Pat Cummins attempted to target his helmet with a steep bouncer, Bumrah responded with a pull shot that would have made Ricky Ponting proud, dispatching the ball into the deep fine-leg sta
Bumrah’s steely effort with the bat comes a day after he flaunted his world record for the most runs in an over in Test cricket during his exchange with the reporter.
Bumrah and Akash added 39 runs for the 10th-wicket partnership, batting out nine overs in the middle. The two lower-order batters gave it their all, much to the delight of the dressing room.
When Akash Deep hit a boundary to take India past the follow-on mark, coach Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma celebrated with high-fives in the dressing room.
The Indian dressing room stood up to applaud the heroics of Bumrah and Akash Deep as the two batters remained unbeaten at the end of the day’s play.
India were 252 for 9 in 74.5 overs when bad light brought an early end to the extended final session on Tuesday.
Having avoided the follow-on, India will be confident of holding Australia to a draw in Brisbane and heading into the last two Tests with renewed spirits.
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