Bumrah mentoring Akash Deep, and the resilience shown by Rahul and Jadeja…”: Gavaskar’s direct assessment of India’s performance at Gabba

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar noted that India’s determined fightback to secure a draw in the Gabba Test has kept the series alive with two Tests remaining. Half-centuries from KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and the resilience shown by tailenders Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah helped India avoid the follow-on after the first innings, with rain ultimately ensuring the match ended in a draw.

Australia, bolstered by centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith, dominated the majority of the match, with their pacers triggering an early collapse for India. However, rain intervened, and the match ultimately ended in a draw. Gavaskar acknowledged that while the Indian batters may not have been at their best, they still had the resolve to avoid being bowled out within 50 overs in the second innings, suggesting Australia lost control on the final day.

“No, I don’t think India could have been bowled out a second time in the Test match. Our batting isn’t always flawless, and not everyone was at their best, but we would not have been dismissed in 50 overs. Still, with 445 runs on the board, Australia had the upper hand in the Test,” Gavaskar told India Today.

He praised Jasprit Bumrah for guiding young Akash Deep, who was playing his first Test in Australia, during their crucial 10th-wicket partnership that helped India avoid the follow-on.

“What I really admired was the resolve shown by the 10th-wicket partnership. Bumrah is a cricketer every captain would want—whether as a bowler, batter, thinker, or team player. He was also guiding Akash Deep,” he added.

Gavaskar also pointed out that the fightback from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja would boost India’s morale for the remaining two Tests.

“The resolve shown by KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja will be crucial for the remaining Tests. Remember, India lost in Adelaide in two and a half days. Had they not done well here, the next Tests could have slipped away too,” Gavaskar concluded.