The Third Test between Australia and India at the Gabba in Brisbane ended in a draw with the series level at 1-1. Australia scored 445 runs in the first innings. However, the match was getting interrupted by frequent rain. Hence, with shortage of time, the only Australia had of forcing a result in this game was with a follow-on.
When the ninth wicket of India fell at 213 runs, India were 33 runs away from escaping a follow-on and staring down the barrel. However, the final wicket partnership of Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah added 47 runs and India were saved from follow-on and potential loss in the game.
When Akash Deep hit a boundary over the slips to go past the 246 runs mark, the Indian dressing room with the likes of head coach Gautam Gambhir, assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma celebrated animatedly. It drew some mixed reactions given that they were celebrating having escaped a follow-on situation. However, they were celebrating given the context of the situation and the series with the probability of going to the WTC Final being wide open.
What did Ravi Shastri say about India’s celebration on avoiding the follow-on against Australia at the Gabba?
Ravi Shastri (Image Credits: Twitter)
Former India head coach, Ravi Shastri remarked that the team should celebrate, noting that it took a lot of character from the last pair to secure the runs needed. He added that the celebration demonstrated their understanding of its significance within the dressing room, especially in the context of the series.
“You should celebrate. It required a lot of character from the last pair with 35-36 runs needed. That celebration showed, they knew the importance of that effort within the dressing room in the context of the series,” said Shastri in ICC Review with host Sanjana Ganesan
“It’s one thing following on, it’s one thing then again being 2-3 down as opposed to, you going ahead and rattling the Australian top-order. It is fully justified,” he added.
India will now go to the Boxing Day Test starting on December 26 at the MCG. Then the New Year’s Test will be held in Sydney. These are the two venues where India have done well. If India go on to win the series 3-1, then they will qualify for the WTC final without depending on anyone. If they win even one match out of the two, they will retain the BGT.
