Wicketless in the first innings, Ravindra Jadeja proved his mettle with the bat as he scored a gritty 77 on Day 4 of the third Test. Jadeja missed his century and a chance to save India from follow-on but he broke a 56-year-old record. The all-rounder registered the highest score by a no.7 batter for India at The Gabba, Brisbane. The previous record belonged to Chandu Borde who scored 63 runs and shared a crucial partnership with centurion Motganhalli Jaisimha in an unsuccesful run chase.
Jadeja's 77 is also the fifth-highest score by a no.7 batter in Australia. The top spot belongs to Rishabh Pant with an unbeaten 159 followed by Dattu Phadkar (123), Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (85) and VVS Laxman (79).
This was Jadeja's 22nd Test fifty. He hit seven fours and a six in his 77-run knock off 123 balls. Australia skipper Pat Cummins dismissed him in the 66th over of the innings. He was the ninth Indian batter to fall.
The southpaw walked out to bat early in the first session on Day 4 as skipper Rohit Sharma lost his wicket chasing a delivery outside off. Jadeja and Rahul shared a crucial 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Deep, Bumrah help India avoid follow-on
After Jadeja's wicket, it seemed that India will be bowled out and Australia will enforce follow-on. However, Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah had different plans. Bumrah smashed Cummins' bouncer for a maximum. Then Deep found boundaries and frustrted Australian bowlers. He hit a four to avoid follow-on as the dressing room erupted in cheers including head coach Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli.
The Day 4's play ended early due to bad light. India were 252/9 after 74.5 overs. Deep remained unbeaten for 27 runs from 31 balls including a couple of fours and a six. Meanwhile, vice-captain Bumrah is batting on 10 runs from 27 balls.
The Gabba Test is likely to end in a draw. The forecast for Day 5 does not look promising as rain can play spoilsport again.
