Sanjay Bangar has applauded Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah for helping India save the follow-on in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 third Test as well. He also noted that the duo’s ‘incredible commitment and resolve’ showed India won’t accept defeat easily. Deep joined Bumrah in the middle when India needed 33 runs to avoid the follow-on with only a solitary wicket in hand as well. The duo added together an unbroken 39-run partnership as Rohit Sharma and company ended Day 4 (Tuesday, December 17) at 252 for nine in their first innings in Brisbane as well.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Bangar said, “It is a massive moment in this game because if the follow-on had been enforced, Australia would have had the chance to get the Indian team out again. However, it would have been difficult for sure because they don’t have a bowler like (Josh) Hazlewood. They (Deep and Bumrah) showed incredible commitment and resolve. We got to see the never-say-die attitude from Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep, and they batted with great control. They defended well and played big shots when it was required. The running between the wickets was excellent. They never lost their composure. It shows how much belief this team has and this team is not going to accept defeat easily.”

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Sanjay Bangar also added that Akash Deep hit a four to reach the follow-on target before smoking a huge six after the pressure had been released as well.

“They were in total control. Akash Deep also has a record. He scored a fifty off 18 balls in domestic cricket. He played a cut off a back-of-the-length ball, and then the six he hit was a shot of relief. When he had done his job, he opened up his arms and showed that he can also hit massive sixes. I have seen that very closely because he has a great ability to hit sixes,” Sanjay Bangar concluded.