WATCH: Gautam Gambhir's animated reaction after Akash Deep helps India avoid the follow-on in Brisbane

Test cricket was at it’s finest during the penultimate day of the 3rd Test match in Brisbane on Tuesday. Pace bowler Akash Deep was the hero for India with the bat as he helped the visiting side avoid the follow-on. India ended the day at 252/9 from 74.5 overs still trailing the hosts by 193 runs and in relative safter with a day to go. 

When Ravindra Jadeja fell, India’s score was 213/9 still needing 33 runs. After a few testing overs, Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah began the counter-attack. Bumrah hit a huge six to silence the critics. Akash Deep initially began with nudges for one’s and two’s as he frustrated the Aussie bowlers. 

Look at their happiness ❤️😭😭
Gambhir - Kohli 🫂pic.twitter.com/mnlc4Ot4Ax

— SVKG (@Vineeth__PK) December 17, 2024

THE CELEBRATION, THE BOUNDARY FROM AKASH DEEP.

- India has avoided the follow on at Gabba. pic.twitter.com/ThkKFtMBMZ

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 17, 2024

Needing 4 runs to avoid the folliow-on, Akash Deep hit Pat Cummins over the slips for four runs. Indian coach Gautam Gambhir let out a huge roar as there were cheers in India’s dressing room. Skipper Rohit Sharma for the 1st time in 4-days had a huge smile on his face while Virat Kohli was seen giving his veteran teammate a high-five. 

KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja lead India’s fightback

Team India came out to bat on the 4th day of the Brisbane Test match with their overnight score reading 51/4. Rohit Sharma was the first wicket to fall as he was out for 10 to Pat Cummins with Alex Carey taking an easy catch. Ravindra Jadeja came out to join KL Rahul as the pair then began the rebuilding process. 

Both batters added 67 runs for the 6th wicket in 19 overs. Steve Smith in particular was the man in focus as he dropped Rahul’s catch in the 1st ball of the day. The 32-year-old went onto score his second fifty of the tour. Australia’s veteran batter made amends when he took an amazing catch to get rid off Rahul for 84 to give Lyon his 1st wicket of the game. 

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Jadeja then added 53 runs for the 7th wicket in over 17 overs to bring India back into the game. Pat Cummins broke the stand against the run of play as Nitish Reddy was out for 16 after facing 61 balls when the youngster inside edged the ball back onto his stumps. 

Mohammed Siraj was out for 1 to give Carey his 4th catch and the 3rd wicket for Cummins. Ravindra Jadeja batted for 123 balls to score 77 runs with 7 fours and a six to give Cummins his 4th wicket and Marsh his third catch of the innings. Bad light ended play on Tuesday with Akash Deep batting on 27 and Bumrah not out on 10.