“They were in a near-hopeless situation” - Former cricketer makes huge claim after India avoid follow-on on Day 4 of BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Former keeper-batter Parthiv Patel believes that India successfully avoiding the follow-on in the Gabba Test could be a defining moment in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. As per Patel, the fact that India dug themselves out of a near-hopeless situation would give the visitors renewed energy and confidence.
In response to Australia's first innings total of 445, India found themselves in big trouble at 213-9 on Day 4 of the Brisbane Test on Tuesday, December 17. However, the last wicket pair of Akash Deep (27*) and Jasprit Bumrah (10*) added an unbroken 39 to frustrate Australia and, more significantly, ensure that India avoided the follow-on.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Patel opined that the visitors' resilient effort with the bat at the Gabba could have a series-defining impact in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy:
"By avoiding the follow-on, India have given a new twist to the series. There is a belief that India can save the Test from here. The good thing is that the energy (in the Indian team) could change from here. They were in a near-hopeless situation. But, because they managed to save the follow-on, there will be a new kind of energy in the team.
"There will be a different belief in the team that if the last two batters can fight it out, the top and middle-order can also score runs if they apply themselves," he added.
Before the Bumrah-Akash Deep stand for the last wicket, KL Rahul (84) and Ravindra Jadeja (77) also added 67 for the sixth wicket, while Nitish Kumar Reddy too chipped in with 16 runs. Patel credited the batters for stringing together crucial partnerships and not allowing Australia to dominate proceedings.
"Look at the number of balls they have faced. Jadeja and KL Rahul faced 115 balls. Nitish Reddy and Jadeja combined to face 104 balls. Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep also faced 54 balls," the 39-year-old said.
Patel was also critical of Australian captain Pat Cummins' leadership and described it as very ordinary:
"The Australian attack has had no answer when put under pressure, both in Perth and here. The captaincy was very ordinary as the plans kept changing. The thinking was also very defensive."
India were 252-9 in their first innings at the Gabba when bad light forced stumps. The visitors trail the Aussies by 193 runs.
Rain could come to India's aid on Day 5 of the 3rd BGT 2024-25 Test
While the weather has played spoilsport in the Gabba Test on most days, there could be further interruptions in store on Day 5 as well. As per AccuWeather, there's a minor flood warning in Brisbane for Wednesday, December 18.
The weather prediction says that the conditions will be cloudy and very humid, with a thunderstorm or two expected in the afternoon. The probability of precipitation during the day time is as high as 90 percent, while there's a 54 percent probability of thunderstorms.