Australian spinner Nathan Lyon said he and his fellow Australians were surprised by the reaction from the Indian dressing room after avoiding the follow-on on the fourth day of the third Test at the Gabba.
A 47-run partnership for the 10th wicket between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep helped India avoid a follow-on in the Brisbane Test. After the two joined in the middle, India were 213 for 9, still 36 runs away from the follow-on.
With eight runs needed to avoid the follow-on, Cummins finally kept the ball fuller and Akash went for a strong on-the-up hack, and the ball flew off the inside edge of the stumps. A message came from the Indian dressing room. “It was just to tell him to calm down, that it can be done in singles,” elaborated KL Rahul later. Akash calmed down but it was with an upper-slash over slip that took India over the safety line.
Aakash Deep ensures India avoid the follow-on and then hits Pat Cummins at the second level!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/HIu86M7BNW
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2024
Two stubborn tail-enders helped India avoid the follow-on, which rejuvenated the Indian dressing room with Virat Kohli high-fiving Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma laughing.
“Yeah there are a few of us that have talked about it and we’ve been surprised by their response,” Lyon told The Fox Sports.
‘We played well and took the game to where we are.
“Disappointing but we are still sitting in front changing room 185.
“I still think if we bat well we can beat Australia. We cannot control the weather. What we can control is our process.
“Especially against Jasprit Bumrah, he has been outstanding in this series.”
The veteran spinner surprised India’s response.
He said: “It looked like their top order didn’t want to bat if we applied the follow-on.”
Lyon also praised Australia’s bowling attack as they pushed India past despite losing Josh Hazlewood to injury.
“It was very challenging with Josh out to enforce the follow-on. Mitch (Starc) and Pat (Cummins), they have been great for Australia for many years and I am very fortunate to be a part of this Australian bowling attack,” he said.
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