Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep’s 39-run stand was pivotal to save India the blushes at Gabba. (AP)
As India entered stumps precariously on Monday in the Gabba Test against Australia, reeling at four for 51 in reply to Australia’s first-innings 445, seam spearhead Jasprit Bumrah had to face a tricky bouncer from a reporter who asked his assessment of his team’s batting, even as it may seem to be his strongest suit.
While the Indian camp may have been feeling the jitters preparing for a tough day ahead in Brisbane, Bumrah was quick to quell any undue pressure, keeping the spirits high speaking in the press conference hall.
As the journalist requested an analysis of India’s batting display which saw the dismissals of the top-order cheaply to Australian seamers, he also admitted that India’s star pacer might not be the best person to reflect on the situation. Bumrah’s cheeky response, in hindsight, turned out to be more than just a light-hearted reply.
“Hi, Jasprit. What is your assessment of the batting, although you are not the best person to answer the question, but what do you think about the situation of the team, considering the conditions in Gabba?” asked the reporter.
😂 If you’re going to ask Jasprit Bumrah about batting, make sure you check Google first!
What a flex from the Indian superstar.
🟢 Catch every ball of the International Summer: https://t.co/uemB0pfuV5 pic.twitter.com/liZaRSYGup
— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) December 16, 2024
“It’s an interesting question. But, you are questioning my batting ability. You should use Google and see who has gotten the most number of runs in a Test over. But, jokes apart. That’s another story,” said Bumrah, who famously smashed England pacer Stuart Broad for 34 runs in an over in 2022 during his Test captaincy debut in Edgbaston.
Six with the ball, six with the bat
On day four of the rain-marred Test on Tuesday, it was down to Bumrah to ensure that he could stand up to the banter in a more serious context for India. After gritty knocks from KL Rahul (84), Ravindra Jadeja (77) nudged India closer to avoid the embarrassment of a follow-on for the first time since 2011, it seemed as though the visitors would lose the plot when Australia reduced them to 213 for nine. But as number 10 Bumrah and last man Akash Deep decided to hold fort, the Aussies fumbled with their plans.
Jasprit Bumrah just smashes Pat Cummins for six! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/vOwqRwBaZD
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2024
The unlikely duo batted out 8.5 overs and put on a 39-run partnership to lead India past the follow-on mark, to 252 for nine shortly before bad light stopped play at Gabba. Standing true to his overnight banter, Bumrah (10 not out) even hooked Australia captain Pat Cummins for a six over fine-leg while Deep held his own with an unbeaten 27 off 31 balls.
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