'It is one thing following on, it is one thing then...': Ravi Shastri's massive statement on Rohit, Gambhir, Kohli's celebration on India avoiding follow-on in Gabba Test

India stars Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir were seen doing an animated celebration after avoiding follow on at the Gabba Test.

Sports Tak

• Fri • 20 Dec 2024

Ravi Shastri

Highlights:

India vs Australia 3rd Test match ended in a draw.

Virat, Rohit and Gambhir were seen celebrating when India avoided follow on at Gabba.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri opened up on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir's animated celebration after The Men in Blue avoided the follow-on during the third Test match in Brisbane, Gabba which later ended in a draw. Shastri reckoned that the celebration was worth it as it will lift the visitors as they gear up for the crucial fourth Test of the series, a Boxing Day affair, starting from December 26 onwards at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Shastri reflected on the importance of the Indian team avoiding the follow-on at the Gabba when speaking with host Sanjana Ganesan on the most recent episode of The ICC Review.

"You should celebrate," Shastri said as quoted by ICC.

"It required a lot of character from the last pair with 35-36 runs needed. That celebration showed, they knew the importance of that effort within the dressing room in the context of the series," he added.

The effort from Bumrah and Akash Deep was not just about saving the follow-on but setting the tone for the next phase of the game.

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As Shastri put it, "It is one thing following on, it is one thing then again being two-three down as opposed to, you going ahead and rattling the Australian top-order. It is fully justified."

Shastri was quick to compare this performance to similar moments in India's recent history, particularly recalling the remarkable 89-run partnership between Bumrah and Mohammed Shami at Lord's during the 2021 series against England.

"It reminded me of the celebration, when in COVID times, when Jasprit and Mohammed Shami were involved in a partnership at Lord's, which turned the game on its head," Shastri said.

"England were odds on favourites on the final day to win the Test. And that partnership, I think of about 80 or 90, suddenly turned the game on its head and by the end of the day, India had won the Test match."

As the five Test match series is leveled at 1-1 now both teams will look to win the fourth Test match to win the series. The ongoing Test series is important for both teams to seal their berth for the World Test Championship (WTC) final scheduled to take place in England next year.