Former India coach Ravi Shastri believes the visitors saving the follow-on in the Gabba Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia could be hugely significant in the course of the series. While referring to India's wild celebrations, he added that the reactions showed how important the follow-on save was for the Indian team.
Reply to AustraliaA first innings total of 445 in Brisbane, India were in deep trouble at 213-9. However, the last-wicket duo of Akash Deb (31) and Jasprit Bumrah (10*) added 47 to ensure the visitors avoided the follow-on. The Indian dressing room celebrated with much emotion as the final wicket stand frustrated the Australian bowlers.
Speaking on the ICC review, Shastri endorsed India's intense celebrations after saving the follow-on amid some criticism for the same. He commented:
“You should be celebrating. It took a lot of character from the last pair with 35-36 runs needed. This celebration showed that they know the importance of this effort within the dressing room in the context of the series.”
“It's one thing to keep going, it's another thing to go 2-3 down again instead of going ahead and shaking up the Australian standings. It's completely justified,” the 62-year-old went on to add.
Shastri He went on to compare the Bumrah-Akash Deb situation to the memorable 89-run partnership between Bumrah and Mohammed Shami against England at Lord's in 2021. He explained:
“It reminded me of the celebration, in the time of Covid, when Jasprit and Mohammed Shami partnered at Lord's, which turned the game on its head. England were favorites on the final day to win the Test. And that partnership, I think it was around 80 or 90, turned the game around.” Suddenly turned heads, and by the end of the day, India had won the Test match.
after India All out for 260 in the Gabba Test on day five, Australia declared their second innings at 89-7 after 18 overs. Chasing a target of 275, India were 8-0 down when rain prevented any further play and the match ended in a draw.
'Maybe India will be the one to decide' – Ravi Shastri on upcoming BGT 2024-25 Tests
During his interaction with The ICC Review, Bumrah praised India's lower order for getting the team out of trouble more than once. He thought of the partnership between Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari in Sydney during the 2020-21 tour when both cricketers battled injuries to help India rescue the Test.
“When the tail-enders are stubborn, they fight there. It makes a big difference. I did that in the last over. When Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari beat the entire last session to save the match, they came into the gabba and then won the series,” Shastri said.
“It will lift the Indian team. For me, the series is at a high level now and India will probably be the one to decide.”
India and Australia will meet next in Boxing day test At the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from 26-30 December.
Edited by Renne Welbin Albert