KL Rahul and the Indian team were more than happy to see the last-wicket pair of Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah helping the visitors go past the follow-on mark on day 4 of the ongoing third BGT 2024 Test in Brisbane against Australia.
Following the exuberant dressing room celebrations led by coach Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, Rahul provided an insider's perspective on the feelings in the camp, including how avoiding the follow-on is a significant boost to the team's confidence ahead of the next two Tests.
India were 213 for 9, needing 33 runs to avoid the follow-on, when Australia skipper Pat Cummins removed Ravindra Jadeja for 77. All hope was lost when Jadeja, who scored 77, returned to the dressing room.
KL Rahul confessed that he was preparing to bat again, despite doubt about whether Australia would enforce follow-on after losing senior pacer Josh Hazlewood due to injury. He added the squad was overjoyed that the lower-order batters' efforts at the plate were rewarded in a critical scenario.
However, Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah put on a tough partnership of 39 runs after holding off the Australian bowling danger for 9 overs. India successfully avoided the follow-on and finished the fourth day on 252 for 9, putting themselves in a position where they could not lose the Test.
"Yes, it's very good to see when the lower-order chips in and scores runs. That's something we discuss in our meetings. The bowlers work hard on their batting. It's really good to see that they could go there and get that little partnership. Avoiding the follow-on makes a huge difference. Knowing that there's a little bit rain around, we needed to find a way to stay in the game. Akash and Bumrah did that, and it was a great way to end the day for us," KL Rahul told the press on Tuesday in Brisbane.
"It was a great contest in the last half-an-hour. Not just the runs they scored or the way they batted, the heart that they showed to keep away the bouncers, to get behind the ball, to defend the ball well and play some shots. It's really good. It will give them a lot of confidence and will give the group a lot of confidence," he added.
The different sentiments between the two camps after the Bumrah-Akash alliance revealed the narrative. While the Indian players cheered, Australia's shoulders dropped, fully aware that they had missed a golden opportunity to dominate India.
Rahul also revealed what message was sent to Akash and Bumrah from the Indian dressing room as they inched towards the follow-on mark. Rahul stated that the captain and coach felt Akash was taking too many shots, and a message was issued from the changing room to calm the two batters down in the middle.
"It's very simple. Try and get those runs and don't have to try and do it with a boundary. You can just knock it around. They had spread the field and there were singles to be taken. Just before the message was sent out, we saw Akash tried to hit it and he tried to hit a boundary. It was just a message to calm them down," he said.
Akash eventually hit a boundary to help India go past the follow-on mark. He then hit a huge six off Pat Cummins, adding to the delight in the dressing room. India ended day 4 on 252/9 as umpires called stumps due to rain.
