The fourth day of the Brisbane Test was thrilling and entertaining despite multiple rain interruptions. At the end of the day, India just managed to avoid the follow-on, which pushed the game toward a lame draw, except for any big surprises on the rain-forecast fifth day. 

In the reply to Australia’s first innings total of 445 runs, India started the fourth day at 51/4. The drama started from the first ball of the sunshine fourth day as the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins generated an edge from the opener KL Rahul’s bat, but Steven Smith dropped that simple catch at the slip. It hurt the hosts as Rahul played a memorable knock. 

KL Rahul scored 84; Josh Hazlewood can't bowl more in the Test

Although the Indian captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 10 runs after setting a 30-run partnership for the fifth wicket, Rahul got strong support from experienced Ravindra Jadeja, who is playing his first Test of the series. 

Also, Australia soon hit hard with massive injury news as Josh Hazlewood only managed to bowl one over of the day. While he went back to the dressing room early, it was later confirmed that he would miss the remainder of the Test match due to a right-sided calf strain. It has forced the hosts to carry on with one key bowler short. As a result, Mitchell Marsh delivered two overs, and Travis Head bowled one over. 

Rahul and Jadeja had a 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket. After completing his half-century in 85 balls, Rahul continued his incredible controlled innings. In the long first session, Rahul was ultimately dismissed after an incredible catch by Steven Smith at slip in Nathan Lyon’s over. 

Ravindra Jadeja scored 77 runs

After Rahul was dismissed with 84 off 139 balls (eight fours), Jadeja controlled the innings with the in-form lower-order batter Nitish Kumar Reddy. Once again, Nitish showed his presence of mind in the difficult game situation by supporting Jadeja with his patient batting. Before he was bowled by Cummins for 16 runs, which he scored after facing 61 balls, he had a valuable 53-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Later, Mohammed Siraj lost his wicket for one run, while Jadeja fought hard. After completing his 50 runs off 82 balls, Jadeja scored 77 off 123 balls (six fours and one six) before he was caught out at deep square leg. When Jadeja went to the dressing room, India were struggling at 213/9, and they were still 33 runs short to avoid the follow-on. 

Bumrah and Akash Deep surprised with the bats

While the vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah held the wicket patiently, the no.11 batter Akash Deep stunned by his batting performance. The last batter hit a four at the crucial time, which ultimately became the last over of the day, and confirmed India’s avoidance of the follow-on. After rescuing the visitors, Akash Deep slammed a sixer to Cummins, and after the next ball, bad light stopped the game. Soon, the day was also called off. 

Watch: Kohli-Gambhir celebrate together after Akash Deep's heroic save

India scored 252/9 at the end of the day. While Bumrah scored 10 not out off 27 balls with one sixer, Akash Deep scored 27 not out off 31 balls with two fours and one six. They already set a 39-run partnership in 54 balls for the unbroken 10th wicket. 

Among the Australian bowlers, skipper Pat Cummins took four wickets (4/80), while Mitchell Starc bagged three wickets (3/83). Josh Hazlewood (1/22) and Nathan Lyon (1/54) have also taken one wicket each.

Despite many rain interruptions, which can be a driving factor for possible draw result of the crucial Brisbane Test, the fourth day of the Test match was full of thriller. The visitors India just managed to save the follow-on and it was a completely thrilling moment in the dressing room which made the former Indian captain Virat Kohli very excited. 

With the help of Steven Smith (101) and Travis Head’s (152) centuries and Alex Carey’s 70,  Australia were all out for 445 runs in the first innings after the Indian captain Rohit Sharma chose to field first in the Gabba Test. 

In reply, India ended the third day of the Test match at 51/4. Early on the fourth day, captain Rohit Sharma (10) lost his wicket to the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins as the visitors were struggling at 74/5 and the follow-on scare was there.

KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja brought the hope

While opener KL Rahul was solid with the bat, except for providing an opportunity on the first ball of the day, Ravindra Jadeja gave him solid support. They had a 67-run partnership before Rahul was dismissed for 84 runs by Steven Smith’s incredible catch. 

After Rahul was out, in-form batter Nitish Kumar Reddy provided another support to Ravindra Jadeja. They had a 53-run partnership for the eighth wicket, and Reddy was out after scoring 16 runs. 

While Mohammed Siraj lost his wicket for one run, Jadeja lost his wicket after bravely fighting with 77 runs off 123 balls with the help of seven fours and one six. At that point, India scored 213/9, and they still required 32 more runs to avoid the follow-on.

See Also: Will Australia miss Hazlewood for the remaining BGT?

Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep did the job perfectly

The last two batters Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep didn’t lose their hope. The last moments were very thrilling where Akash Deep ultimately rescued the visitors by officially avoiding the follow-on with a boundary to Cummins over the gully fielder.   

While India avoided follow-on with that boundary, Kohli and the head coach Gautam Gambhir had a passionate high-five. Kohli also had another passionate celebration with the skipper Rohit Sharma.

Akash Deep then slammed a sixer to Cummins. Soon, the day ended after the bad light interrupted the game once again.  

Akash Deep makes sure India avoid the follow-on and then smashes Pat Cummins into the second level!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/HIu86M7BNW

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2024

#TeamIndia have avoided the follow-on. AUSTRALIA WILL HAVE TO BAT AGAIN!#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 3rd Test, Day 5 | 18th DEC, WED, 5:15 AM on Star Sports! #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/DqW3C9DMJX

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 17, 2024

THE SHOW-STOPPER AKASH DEEP! 😎#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 3rd Test, Day 5 | 18th DEC, WED, 5:15 AM! #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/Yi8RQxoqhK

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 17, 2024

India comfortably won the home Test series against Bangladesh by winning both Tests. After the Indian captain Rohit Sharma received the Test series trophy, he handed over the trophy to his teammates. 

In the two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, India mostly dominated. While the hosts won the Test series opener by 280 runs at Chennai, they won the second Test at Kanpur by seven wickets to complete the series with a 2-0 win. 

SEE ALSO: WATCH: When the Test match was televised first time

India claimed a stunning win at Kanpur

The Kanpur Test victory was very special for the Indian team, as the match result apart from a draw was unlikely at the end of the third day. After Indian captain Rohit Sharma sent Bangladesh to bat first, the opening day ended with the visitors’ score of 107/3. The next two days had no game due to rain and wet outfield.

On the fourth day, India bowled out Bangladesh for 233 runs and then aggressively batted to score 285/9 in just 34.4 overs before the declaration. At the stumps of the fourth day, the visitors were battling at 26/2. 

On the last day of the Test match, India bundled out the visitors for only 146 runs. India had a 95-run target in the fourth innings, which the hosts achieved in the 17.2 overs to secure a seven-wicket win. 

India celebrated in the presentation ceremony

Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal won the Player of the Match award in the Kanpur Test for scoring two half-centuries (72 and 51). Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin, who won the Player of the Match award in the Chennai Test for a century and six-fer, won the Players of the Series award for scoring 114 runs and taking 11 wickets in the series. 

In the presentation ceremony, Indian captain Rohit Sharma received the Test series trophy. Soon, he reached out to his teammates and handed over the trophy. Seniors and newcomers both enjoyed that celebration. Akash Deep was very excited in that celebration as he was lifting the trophy.  

Captain Rohit Sharma handing the trophy to Akash Deep.🏆👌🏻

Boss Rohit Sharma, always there for youngsters @ImRo45 🐐🙇🏼‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/s65bziUalv

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) October 1, 2024

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly isn’t worried about the right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s absence for the upcoming first Test against Bangladesh. He also praised another Bengal pacer Akash Deep.

Last Sunday (September 8), the men’s national selection committee chose the 16-member Indian squad for the first Test of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh at Chennai. This Test series will be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, which will begin on September 19. 

Although it was expected that Mohammed Shami could return to the national squad for the Chennai Test after recovering from the injury, the selectors have decided to give him more time in the recovery process.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly isn’t worried about Shami’s injury. He feels that Shami will be more important for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. 

Ganguly said, according to the PTI, “I know Mohammed Shami is missing because of injury, but he will be back very soon since India is going to Australia. It’s still a very good attack.”

Akash Deep is one to watch out for: Sourav Ganguly

For the upcoming Chennai Test, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are ready in the Indian pace-bowling line-up along with Akash Deep and the uncapped left-arm pacer Yash Dayal.

SEE ALSO: Yash Dayal earns Test call-up after battling IPL horror debut: A remarkable journey

Ganguly highly praised the 27-year-old right-arm pacer Akash Deep. The former Indian captain believes that he is one to watch out for.  

Ganguly said, “Akash Deep is an outstanding young fast bowler. He runs in, bowls quick, and will bowl for long periods. I’ve seen him play for Bengal, taking wickets. He will be as quick as Siraj and Shami, hitting high 140s. He is one to watch out for.”

In his 32 first-class matches, Akash Deep took 116 wickets. He also picked up 42 wickets in 28 List A games, and 49 wickets in 42 T20s. During the Ranchi Test against England last February, he made his Test debut and picked up three wickets. He is also a handy right-handed batter.  

During the Duleep Trophy 2024/25 first round, India A cricketer Akash Deep took nine wickets (4/60 and 5/56) and scored 11 and fighting 43 runs. However, they still suffered a defeat against India B. 

India are a very good team: Sourav Ganguly

Talking about the upcoming Chennai Test, the former Indian captain talked about the strong Indian spin-bowling line-up.  

Ganguly said, “In India, you will see a lot more spin. In Chennai, you will see a lot more bounce. Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, and Kuldeep are the four best spinners in the world at the moment — it won’t be easy. When you play in India, spinners have a lot more say in the game. But India are a very good team.”

Sourav Ganguly talked about upcoming Australia and England tour

Later this year, India will tour Australia for a five-match Test series (Border-Gavaskar Trophy). In mid-2025, India will tour England for another five-match Test series. Ganguly feels that these two away Test series will be the real test for the Indian cricket team. 

Ganguly said, “I am looking forward to their tour to Australia; that, for me, will be the real test for the squad. Then, when they tour England in July, these are the two most important tours, to be honest. I think the pace bowling department, with Bumrah and Siraj, and once Shami comes back, will be strong.”

Team India have started their fourth Test against England at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Friday 23. England won the toss and opted to bat first. For India, pace bowler Akash Deep made her debut and left a mark already.

Akash Deep started well with the ball

He bowled a lovely delivery to dismiss Zak Crawley in the 4th over of the game. It nipped back from a length around off and went past Crawley’s inside edge, sending the off-stump cart-wheeling. As soon as everyone started celebrating, the siren indicated that it was a front-foot no-ball. Thus, the speedster failed to claim his maiden wicket early.

SEE ALSO: IND vs ENG: “There Are Cracks”: Vikram Rathour Gives Honest Review Of Pitch For Ranchi Test

India will try to win the Test

However, at the toss, Rohit Sharma said, “We would have batted first as well. Looks a bit dry and has some cracks, but that’s the nature of the pitch here. The last two games were good for us and we’ll have to play in the same way. Proud of a lot of young guys in the squad, they’ve taken the responsibility and have taken the challenge head-on. They are confident in their skills, moving forward it’s a good thing. One change with Akash Deep making his debut.”