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Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep's valiant last-wicket partnership helped India avoid follow-on in the third Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja worked tirelessly to save India from 51/4 at the beginning of the fourth day of the Gabba Test. Australia saw opposition from Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep, who added an undefeated 39 runs for the final wicket on a stop-start day, after they were able to dismiss Rahul and Jadeja. India is still 193 runs behind even though they avoided follow-on, receiving thunderous applause from the dressing room.
How can Pat Cummins still create follow-on-like situation?
As per a rule which allows the captain of a team to forfeit their innings if they feel like at any point in time, Pat Cummins can create a follow-on-like situation on Day 5. However, it can be a really risky step as it not only allows them to win the match but also puts India in a spot where a win is equally within their reach.
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Law 15.2 of the MCC Rule Book deals with the forfeiture of an inning and states, "A captain may forfeit either of his/her side’s innings at any time before the commencement of that innings. A forfeited innings shall be considered to be a completed innings."
Australia would lead 193 if they were to dismiss either Akash or Bumrah on the opening ball of Day 5. India would then have to bat again with a target of just 194 if Cummins chose to forfeit the innings. If this occurs, India can win an improbable match because the visitors should be able to chase 194. This move holds a big risk and that is why it is very unlikely that Cummins will go ahead with this step.
KL Rahul and Jadeja hit crucial fifties
Rahul escaped getting out on the first ball of Day 4 and made the most out of it after playing an 84-run knock. Jadeja was another player who stood up and performed well with the bat as he played a crucial 77-run innings. However, despite their knocks India was under follow-on threat.
Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah's final-wicket heroics
India still needed 33 runs to avoid follow-on when Jadeja got out. They only had one wicket left and the last Indian pair of Bumrah and Akash Deep ensured that India would not be thrown on the backfoot. They joined a 39-run stand before umpires called for early stumps due to bad light. Both of them are still on the pitch with Deep batting on 27 and Bumrah on 10 at stumps Day 4.
