PICS: Akash Deep-Bumrah frustrates exhausted Australia

Although Australia dominated the rain-hit Test, the weather will most likely deny the hosts.

IMAGE: Akash Deep and Bumrah put together an unbroken 10th wicket partnership of 39 runs to help India avoid the follow-up on Day 4 of the 3rd Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday. Photography: ICC/X

Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep rode a defiant 10th wicket to help India avoid the follow-up on the fourth day of the third Test in Brisbane on Tuesday, as Australia’s slim hopes of victory were further diminished by an injury to Josh Hazlewood .

Opener KL Rahul and recalled all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also scored a courageous fifty as India dug deep on another rainy day at the Gabba.

As darkness fell over the stadium, Deep sent a big edge from Pat Cummins flying past a leaping fielder into the gully for four runs to push India to safety, sparking celebrations among his teammates watching in the stands.

IMAGE: Akash Deep hit two fours and a six in his unbeaten 27 overs. Photography: BCCI/X

Number 11 Deep smashed the Australian captain for six two balls later with a touch of arrogance, then blocked another delivery before the stumps were called due to the dim light.

Deep were unbeaten on 27, with Bumrah on 10, as the latter pushed India to 252 for nine, still 193 runs behind Australia’s first innings stand of 445.

Their unbroken 39-run partnership all but saved India from defeat and a 2-1 deficit in the five-Test series, with Australia forced to strike again and come away with little time to take 10 additional counters.

IMAGE: Mitch Marsh takes a good catch to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja after tea. Photography: cricket.com.au/X

The hosts’ task was made more difficult with a calf injury to fast bowler Hazlewood, who was ruled out of the remainder of the Test and is is expected to miss the remainder of the five-game series.

India were back on 201 for seven after tea, another 45 runs before avoiding the follow-on.

It looked bleak for them when Jadeja hit a pull shot off Cummins to fall for 77, with Mitchell Marsh rushing in from deep square leg to take a lovely low catch.

Mitchell Starc had already done it for Mohammed Siraj, the number nine caught behind for one.

IMAGE: Ravindra Jadeja celebrates his 50th birthday. Photography: BCCI/X

But with Hazlewood out of action and spinner Nathan Lyon ineffective, a tired Starc and Cummins were unable to grab the final wicket.

Rain breaks continually sapped Australia’s momentum, but Cummins found time to take the wicket of Nitish Kumar Reddy for 16 before tea when the all-rounder clipped his stumps.

This broke a 53-run patience with Jadeja, who played a crucial role in India avoiding the follow-on.

IMAGE: KL Rahul scored an 84, including eight fours, before being dismissed on Day 4. Photography: BCCI/X

Just like Rahul, Steve Smith dropped Rahul on 33 with the first ball of the morning when Cummins had the early slip advantage.

Rahul then scored 84 before Smith redeemed himself with a superb catch at slip to deny him a century, leaping to his right to snatch a one-handed catch off Lyon’s bowling.

Although Australia dominated the rain-hit Test, the weather will most likely deny the hosts.

IMAGE: Rohit Sharma returns after being dismissed for 10. Photography: Courtesy of Star Sports/X

Whichever way the match goes, Indian captain Rohit Sharma will come under increased scrutiny after yet another failure with the bat.

He was caught at 10am, hitting fast bowler Cummins with a header after being softened by a bouncer from the Australian skipper.

Rohit has 19 runs in three innings in the series, having missed India’s win in Perth while caring for his newborn son.