BRISBANE: India showed resilience on the rain-hampered fourth day of the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match to avoid a follow-on and end on 240/9 at stumps. The gutsy unbeaten stand in the final hour by Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep frustrated Australia, who were only one wicket away from enforcing their dominance.
KL Rahul was India's savior early in the day, making a patient 84 off 139 balls while watching his teammates crumble under relentless pressure. His composed knock ended when Nathan Lyon forced an edge, with Steve Smith pulling off a sharp catch. The dismissal broke a crucial 67-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, who was playing his first innings of the series.
Rohit Sharma was caught by Pat Cummins' accuracy and fell early, adding to India's suffering. Rain delays disrupted the day's play, but Jadeja played strong defense, fusing tactical defense with attack. In the last session, Cummins outsmarted him, undoing his efforts and left India trailing at 201/7 till tea break.
Australia seemed poised to enforce the follow-on, but Bumrah and Akash Deep dug in under immense pressure. They stitched together a defiant 39-run partnership, Akash Deep's boundary off Cummins sparking celebrations in the Indian camp. Play was eventually halted due to bad light, keeping India alive for the final day.
As Day 5 draws closer, Australia is firmly in control, needing just one wicket to bat again and go for the win. India, on the other hand, will hope for some rain and sheer determination to salvage a draw from the jaws of defeat.
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