Akash Deep sets unique batting record after heroics at the Gabba

28-year-old Akash Deep set a unique batting record after his unbeaten 27 became the second-highest score for an Indian No.11 against Australia during the third Test in Brisbane. There’s a strong chance that if he continues his onslaught, he could have the highest score for an Indian No.11 batter against Australia, which Shivlal Yadav currently holds (41) in Adelaide. 

It was a cat-and-mouse affair at the Gabba, with Australia needing to bowl India out before they could attain 246 runs on the board. One wicket separated the two sides, and things were heavily stacked in Australia’s favour, considering the last pair - Jasprit Bumrah and Akash - were at the crease. 

With 33 runs in front of the last batting pair, Australia were firm favourites to enforce a follow-on. But that’s where the catch was; they still had to remove the last pair, who batted with quite a bit of sensibility, rotating strike and seeing through that burst from Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. 

Bumrah was at his enterprising best up early against Cummins when he hooked one towards the fine leg region, leaving the Australian counterpart quite shocked. All that Cummins could do is nod his head, and applaud India’s No.10. 

But the biggest shock for Australia was at the other end, where Deep played with utmost sensibility, knocking the ball in front of the stumps for singles and doubles. Whenever an opportunity presented itself, the Bengal pacer took the risk of cutting the ball to get himself two boundaries. 

Akash Deep makes sure India avoid the follow-on and then smashes Pat Cummins into the second level!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/HIu86M7BNW

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2024

Once India went past the required total to avoid follow-on, the right-hander showcased his attacking prowess with a thunderous hit over the midwicket region, earning applause from the Indian dressing room. 

Australia’s chances of winning significantly dipped because they could not enforce the follow-on. They would want to remove the pair as soon as possible on the fifth day and go all guns blazing to find the sweet spot between batting aggressively and finding a safe target against India.

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