India’s spirited resistance on the final day of the third Test in Brisbane has emerged as a turning point in the ongoing series against Australia. Former coach Ravi Shastri emphasized that India’s ability to avoid the follow-on not only showcased resilience but also set the stage for a renewed battle as the series shifts to the iconic MCG for the Boxing Day Test.
Reflecting on the effort, Ravi Shastri noted, “You should celebrate. It required immense character from the last pair with 35-36 runs needed. That celebration in the dressing room wasn’t just about avoiding the follow-on—it was a recognition of how crucial that fight was for the series.” Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep’s gritty stand not only saved India from an embarrassing follow-on but also injected momentum into the team for the subsequent phases of the game.
Shastri compared this effort to India’s memorable performance at Lord’s in 2021, when Bumrah and Mohammed Shami turned the game with their unexpected 89-run partnership.
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“It reminded me of that celebration at Lord’s when Bumrah and Shami’s stubbornness turned a game that England seemed certain to win. By the end of the day, India had not only avoided defeat but claimed an extraordinary victory,” he recalled.
Ravi Shastri on India’s follow-on avoid celebration:
“You should celebrate. It required a lot of character from the last pair with 35-36 runs needed. That celebration showed they knew the importance in the dressing room in the context of the series”. (ICC). pic.twitter.com/4fpVf1zxiJ
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 20, 2024
India’s lower-order contributions have become a hallmark of their recent Test success.Ravi Shastri praised similar efforts, such as Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari’s epic rearguard action in Sydney during the 2020-21 series. “When tail-enders are stubborn and fight, it lifts the entire team. It happened on the last tour, and it’s happening again,” Shastri said.
For Shastri, the third Test in Brisbane has positioned India on equal footing with Australia. “The series is now level at 1-1, and India might just be calling the shots,” he observed, highlighting the psychological boost such performances bring. The former coach was particularly optimistic about India’s chances at Melbourne and Sydney, venues where the visitors have historically performed well. “They’d take 1-1 any day after playing in Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane. Now, they’re heading to grounds where they can be powerful.”
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Ravi Shastri singled out Jasprit Bumrah as the cornerstone of India’s campaign so far. “They’ve been kept alive in this series single-handedly by Bumrah,” he stated. With key players expected to rise to the occasion, Shastri believes India is poised to challenge Australia decisively. “They’re free birds in Melbourne now. They can attack on Boxing Day, and if the big guns step up, Australia could have a serious problem.”
As the series intensifies, India’s blend of resilience and tactical grit may prove decisive in their quest for victory Down Under.
