'I wasn't looking to save the follow-on that day': Akash Deep opens up on his crucial cameo at The Gabba and dressing room celebrations

IND vs AUS: Walked out to bat at no.11, Akash Deep was just looking to survive and contribute to the score instead of targetting to avoid follow-on in the Gabba Test.

Sports Tak

• Sun • 22 Dec 2024

Gautam Gambhir celebrates in the dressing room as India avoid follow-on in Gabba Test, Akash Deep plays an attacking shot on Day 4 of third Test against Australia.

Highlights:

Akash Deep's cameo helped India avoid follow-on in Gabba Test.

Deep said that he was just looking to survive.

Deep and Jasprit Bumrah shared a 47-run partnership for the 10th wicket.

In the Gabba Test, Akash Deep came out to bat at no.11. The sword of 'follow-on' was dangling over the tourists but Deep and Jasprit Bumrah's partnership helped India avoid it. When Deep hit the boundary to avoid follow-on, the dressing room was full of celebrations. Head coach Gautam Gambhir pumped his fits and high-fived Virat Kohli. Other players were ecstatic too including captain Rohit Sharma. However, ahead of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Deep revealed that he did not walk out with the mindset of saving his side from follow-on.

“We come to bat lower down the order, so contributions of 20-25-30 runs are very valuable. My mindset is just to contribute. I wasn't looking to save the follow-on that day; I was just looking not to get out. My mindset was this, God willing, we were able to save the follow-on,” the 28-year-old told the reporters at the MCG.

“When you save the match from such a situation, the entire team gets the confidence and our dressing room reflected just that. Everyone was having fun and enjoying,” he added.

Deep scored 31 runs from 44 balls including two fours and a six. This is second-highest score by a no.11 India batter against Australia. He found gaps and frustrated Australian bowlers. After the follow-on was avoided, he hit Australia captain Pat Cummins for a massive six over deep mid-wicket. Deep and Bumrah shared a 47-run partnership for the 10th wicket. Bumrah scored 10 runs from 38 balls and remained not out.

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Deep on how Bumrah helps him

Deep was not part of the playing XI in first two Tests as Harshit Rana was preferred over him. Deep's only wicket in the first innings of Gabba Test was Alex Carey. However, after the cameo, he was high on confidence and bagged a couple of wickets on Day 5. He revealed how Bumrah helps him and makes his job easier considering the conditions which are new for him.

“This is my first time playing in Australia. Jassi bhai keeps on telling us things about how we can go about our job; it makes our job easy.”

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“He told me one thing, ‘Don’t get too excited. Just focus on your discipline. How you go about your job in Indian conditions, repeat that here.' He told me just this,” the pacer said.

The fourth Test of the series will begin on December 26. The series is currently level at 1-1.