India finally found a reason to celebrate late on Day 4 of the Gabba Test match in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as a challenging match took a positive turn with Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep forming a vital 10th-wicket partnership that enabled India to avoid the follow-on. The partnership, which has reached 39 runs and is still ongoing, ensured that India would not have to bat again under the dimming lights on Tuesday.

Bumrah and Akash Deep came together after the dismissal of Mohammed Siraj, displaying a level of competence at the crease, albeit not entirely confident. Both players executed some bold shots, with Jasprit Bumrah hitting a six over fine leg off Australian captain Pat Cummins, and Akash Deep later sending a ball soaring into the second tier with remarkable assurance.

The celebrations in the dressing room and among Indian fans in the stands highlighted the significance of these runs for a team that appeared to be in serious trouble, facing the prospect of a follow-on after Australia consistently took wickets throughout the day. Indian supporters expressed their joy and relief at the duo's ability to rescue the team from a precarious situation. Social media was abuzz with memes likening Bumrah and Akash Deep to the legendary pair of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid.

However, the humorous reactions also served as a stark reminder to India's top order, which has struggled throughout the series. Captain Rohit Sharma and prominent batsman Virat Kohli have faced criticism for their repeated dismissals in similar fashion.

A welcome boost for the Indian team

Earlier in the day, KL Rahul's remarkable score of 82 served as the foundation for India's innings, with the primary objective of surpassing the follow-on total amidst frequent rain interruptions. Rahul was well-supported by Ravindra Jadeja, who continued to demonstrate his batting prowess in challenging overseas conditions with a crucial score of 77. However, as Jadeja appeared to be India's last hope in avoiding the follow-on, he unfortunately hooked a short ball directly to Mitchell Marsh in the deep.

India now trails by 194 runs, and with only one day of play remaining in this Test match, they seem poised to secure a draw in a contest where they have been largely outplayed by Australia. The team will be grateful for the rain, which has limited the match to just over 180 overs thus far, effectively reducing the duration of play. Nonetheless, both fans and players will take considerable encouragement from the strong performances of Bumrah and Akash Deep, hoping to carry that momentum into the remainder of the series.

Read Also: Australia's Potential to Forfeit 2nd Innings in Gabba Test: India Still Faces Uncertainty with Various Scenarios Ahead

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