Ravi Shastri delivers bold verdict on Kohli, Gambhir's wild celebration after India avoided follow-on in Brisbane

Former India National Cricket Team head coach Ravi Shastri talked about the drawn Test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane. He said that the Rohit Sharma-led side should celebrate it and it will lift them going into the last two games of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

In what was a massive result in the context of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, the third Test between the India National Cricket Team and the Australia National Cricket Team ended in a draw. The game was all inclined towards the hosts, but rain, along with the performance from India, declined them the win.

India came up with a massive effort to avoid the follow-on in Gabba

India came up with a massive effort to avoid the follow-on after the Australia National Cricket Team racked up a massive total of 445 runs. With the way they lost early wickets, it was almost certain that the Rohit Sharma-led side would be enforced follow-on.

However, it was Akash Deep (30) and Jasprit Bumrah (10*), who came up with the massive 11th wicket partnership that helped India avoid the follow-on. After that, the rain played a massive role, and the match between the two teams ended in a draw, with the series being levelled at 1-1.

That celebration showed they knew the importance of that effort within the dressing room - Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri called for celebrations inside the Indian camp after the draw in Gabba. He pointed out celebrations in the Indian camp after the follow-on was avoided, saying that management was aware of the importance of effort. Speaking to ICC, he explained:

"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 of that effort within the dressing room in the context of the series.”

It'll lift the Indian team, and for me, the series is on a level peg now - Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri said that the partnership between Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah reminded him of the partnership at Lord’s between Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. He spoke about how that partnership changed the game and helped India win the match.

Ravi Shastri was also of the opinion that a draw in Gabba would lift the Indian team. He feels that the series is on, and the Rohit Sharma-led side might call on the shots. He elaborated:

"It reminded me of the celebration, when in COVID times when Jasprit and Mohammed Shami were involved in a partnership at Lord’s, which turned the game on its head. England were odds-on favourites on the final day to win the Test.

"And that partnership, I think of about 80 or 90, suddenly turned the game on its head and by the end of the day, India had won the Test match. It'll lift the Indian team. And for me, the series is on a level peg now and India might just be calling the shots,” he said.

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