NEW DELHI: What was expected from India’s top or middle order was instead delivered by the tailenders as the Jasprit Bumrah-Akash Deep duo forged a record 10th-wicket partnership on the fourth day of the third Test against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday.
With the threat of a follow-on looming large, India found themselves in deep trouble after the well-set Ravindra Jadeja fell for 77. His dismissal left India struggling at 213/9, still 33 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.
KL Rahul Press Conference
It seemed like a mere formality for Australia to wrap up the Indian innings, enforce the follow-on, and position themselves for a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. However, rain played spoilsport, with only 57.5 overs bowled throughout the day as it came and went intermittently.
What followed next, was a historic partnership between Bumrah and Akash Deep, who put together a resilient 10th-wicket stand of 39 runs, ensuring that India narrowly avoided the follow-on.
The partnership stands as the highest 10th-wicket stand for India at the Gabba and the second-highest last-wicket partnership overseas since 2020. Interestingly, Jasprit Bumrah was also part of the biggest one – a 50-run stand with Mohammed Siraj against England.
Highest 10th-Wicket Partnership for India at the Gabba
| Player | Partnership Runs | Year |
| Jasprit Bumrah – Akash Deep | 39 | 2024 |
| Manoj Prabhakar – Javagal Srinath | 33 | 1991 |
| Motganhalli Jaisimha – Umesh Kulkarni | 22 | 1968 |
| Venkatapathy Raju – Javagal Srinath | 14 | 1991 |
| Ishant Sharma – Umesh Yadav | 14 | 2014 |
The Indian dressing room erupted in celebration when Akash Deep edged a delivery from Pat Cummins, sending it flying over a leaping gully fielder for four runs, securing India’s safety.
The number 11 then confidently smashed the Australian captain for six two balls later, showing a touch of arrogance, before calmly blocking another delivery as stumps were called due to fading light.
Akash Deep, who remained unbeaten on 27, recorded the second-highest score by an Indian No. 11 batter in Australia and the third-highest overall at the Gabba.
Akash Deep Records Second-Highest Score at No. 11 in Australia
| Player | Opponent | Runs | Year |
| Shivlal Yadav | Australia | 41 | 1985 |
| Akash Deep | Australia | 27* | 2024 |
| Ishant Sharma | Australia | 23 | 2008 |
| Javagal Srinath | Australia | 21 | 1991 |
| Javagal Srinath | Australia | 21 | 1992 |
Akash Deep Registers Third-Highest Score at No. 11 at the Gabba
| Player | Opponent | Runs | Year |
| Glenn McGrath | New Zealand | 61 | 2004 |
| Josh Hazlewood | India | 32* | 2014 |
| Akash Deep | Australia | 27* | 2024 |
| Alan Hurst | India | 26 | 1997 |
| Jeff Thomson | England | 23 | 1974 |
