How Virat Kohli’s bat helped India stave off defeat in Melbourne

Dubai: The setting was gloomy. Dark clouds were hovering around the Gabba while the Indians were facing a difficult situation against hosts Australia in the third Test in December. India were nine wickets down with another 32 runs away from staving a follow-on.

After most of the three days gone in the rain, Australia could win the game only by dismissing India early and try to win the Test with the series hanging 1-1. Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah thwarted the Australian attack with a 43-run partnership, thereby avoiding the follow-on.

Narrating the incident, pacer Akash Deep, who scored 31, told PTI: “Yes, that was Virat bhaiya’s bat, the one with MRF logo, everyone knows,” he said and continued, “‘Virat asked me, do you need a bat?’ to which I replied, Who in the world wouldn’t want it.”

After avoiding the follow-on, Akash Deep hit a huge six of Australian captain Pat Cummins, forcing Kohli jump from his seat in the dressing room.

“I have been there with Kohli for some time now (they are teammates in Royal Challengers Bengaluru). But you always have that thing at the back of your mind, whether it is the right thing to ask for a bat from someone of his stature.

'Didn't want to disturb him'

“Especially during match time, when he is focused and is in his zone, you don’t want to disturb him but Kohli, on his own, gave me the bat,” added the 28-year-old Bengal pacer, who is awaiting the NCA clearance to start bowling after suffering an injury ahead of the fifth Test.

Asked to revisit his last-wicket stand of 47 with Jasprit Bumrah in the drawn Brisbane Test, the Sasaram-born cricketer said he was very clear with his plans.

“That day, my mindset was that I was ready to get hit and take any number of body blows but won’t get out. I needed to score runs ... I had to bat as long as possible. It wasn’t as if (saving) follow-on was on my mind,” Akash Deep explained his thought-process.

“In my mind, I knew the longer I would bat, our batters would have to bat for reduced amount of time in the second essay. That particular day, I was watching the ball well,” he said.