"This team is not going to accept defeat easily" - Sanjay Bangar lauds Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah for saving the follow-on in BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Sanjay Bangar has lauded Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah for helping India save the follow-on in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 third Test. He noted that the duo's 'incredible commitment and resolve' showed the visitors won't concede defeat easily.
Deep joined Bumrah in the middle when India needed 33 runs to avoid the follow-on with just a solitary wicket in hand. The duo stitched together an unbroken 39-run partnership as Rohit Sharma and company ended Day 4 (Tuesday, December 17) at 252 for nine in their first innings in Brisbane.
During a discussion on Star Sports, Bangar pointed out that Deep and Bumrah's partnership demonstrated the belief Team India has.
"It is a massive moment in this game because if the follow-on had been enforced, Australia would have had the chance to get the Indian team out again. However, it would have been difficult for sure because they don't have a bowler like (Josh) Hazlewood. They (Deep and Bumrah) showed incredible commitment and resolve," he said.
"We got to see the never-say-die attitude from Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep, and they batted with great control. They defended well and played big shots when it was required. The running between the wickets was excellent. They never lost their composure. It shows how much belief this team has and this team is not going to accept defeat easily," the former India all-rounder added.
Deep scored an unbeaten 27 off 31 balls with the help of two fours and a six. Bumrah didn't hit a four but struck a maximum in his unbeaten 27-ball 10.
"The six he hit was a shot of relief" - Sanjay Bangar on Akash Deep's maximum after averting follow-on
![Akash Deep clubbed a massive six off Pat Cummins' bowling. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/5bb5b-17344357775124-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same discussion, Sanjay Bangar noted that Akash Deep struck a four to reach the follow-on target before smoking a huge six after the pressure had been released.
"They were in total control. Akash Deep also has a record. He scored a fifty off 18 balls in domestic cricket. He played a cut off a back-of-the-length ball, and then the six he hit was a shot of relief," he said.
The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach added that Deep demonstrated his big-hitting ability.
"When he had done his job, he opened up his arms and showed that he can also hit massive sixes. I have seen that very closely because he has a great ability to hit sixes," Bangar observed.
Deep is known for his six-hitting ability in domestic cricket. The Bengal seamer has struck more sixes (42) than fours (38) in first-class cricket.