New Delhi: Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior batter Virat Kohli faced the ire of the fans on social media for their animated celebrations after India avoided follow-on in their first innings on Day 4 of the 3rd Test against Australia at the Gabba on Tuesday. Tail-enders Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep combined to stand tall and help India avoid the follow-on with an unbeaten 10th wicket partnership.
India were 33 runs away from the follow-on mark of 246 runs when Bumrah and Akash joined hands in the middle. The duo showcased remarkable grit and resilience to stand tall against the Australian bowlers with an unbeaten stand of 39 runs for the 10th wicket. Akash Deep slammed an unbeaten 27 while Bumrah remained not out on 10 as the duo powered India to 252/9 at stumps on Day 4.
Celebrations erupted in the Indian dressing room soon after the visitors crossed the 246-run mark to avoid the follow-on towards the end of Day 4’s play at the Gabba. Head coach Gambhir was seen letting out a roar before exchanging high-fives with senior batter Kohli as the duo looked elated. Captain Rohit Sharma was also seen relieved in the background.
However, Gambhir and Kohli’s celebration didn’t go down well with a section of Indian fans, who lashed out at the duo for ‘lowering the standards’. Many took a dig at the duo for celebrating and avoiding a follow-on and questioned the team’s mindset. Some also pointed out how it looked embarrassing for a team that has won the last four Border-Gavaskar Trophies to be celebrating a follow-on.
Kohli, Gambhir slammed for celebrating avoiding follow-on
Gambhir set the bar so low that the winners of last 4 BGT are celebrating the avoidance of a Follow-on 💀pic.twitter.com/ANJiHODLGq
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) December 17, 2024
“I am here to win”
“We can chase anything”
The winning monster Gambhir is now celebrating follow-on being avoided. Blud has got to his level now.pic.twitter.com/szYeyjVe9Q
— Div🦁 (@div_yumm) December 17, 2024
If besharmi had a face then kohli , rohit ? and gambhir be like – #CricketTwitter #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/n0rY2e9n6a
— kirat.13_ (@kirat8513) December 17, 2024
nah they’re shameless 😭 pic.twitter.com/6MuxGWKsKP
— palak (@loftedovercover) December 17, 2024
We beat them in 2018 and 2021, probably two of our biggest series wins in SENA and now we’re celebrating avoiding follow-ons 😭 This management is beyond repair. I genuinely hope they sack Gambhir after this. pic.twitter.com/SELEv1KzLO
— Koshal (@Koshaaal) December 17, 2024
India-Australia 3rd Test likely to end in a draw
Thanks to the unbeaten 39-run stand between Bumrah and Akash Deep for the 10th wicket, the 3rd Test between India and Australia at the Gabba is heading for a likely draw on Day 5. Having avoided the follow-on, India wouldn’t have to continue with their second innings on the final day as Australia will have to bat first in their second innings.
Australia might not want to risk calling India for their second innings too early without adding a significant amount of runs to their first-innings lead. It remains to be seen how the hosts will go about their batting in their second innings on Day 5 and how much will they deem enough to set a target for India in the Test match.
Fans lashed out at India head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior batter Virat Kohli for celebrating in the dressing room after India managed to avoid follow-on against Australia in their first innings on Day 4 of the 3rd Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
