IND vs AUS: It's BOOM as Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep belt Aussie skipper Pat Cummins

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The duel between fast bowlers is fascinating. No, one is not talking of two speedsters operating in tandem from either end to bamboozle batters but how two speedsters squared off against each other in rival teams.

On Tuesday at the Gabba, the contest between Aussie skipper Pat Cummins and two Indian tailenders was engrossing as Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep produced audacious shots. What it did was ease the pressure off India as they avoided the follow-on in the third Test of the climactic BGT Series.

It was a start-stop-start rainy day, yet again. With KL Rahul well establishing his credentials as an opener, he showcased his batting prowess and scored valuable runs. The makeshift opener also figured in an important stand with Ravindra Jadeja, who was distinctly unlucky not to score a ton. Heck, who cared, this was all about team effort, wanting to save the match for Team India.

If Rahul and Jadeja made up for the brittle top order collapse where Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma have been ripped apart for their failure, men hitherto unknown for batting skills exploded.

Was it bravado or bravery from Bumrah and Akash Deep, people watched with relish on Tuesday. This is Gabba, a theatre to many riveting contests before. The last one in 2021 saw India snatch victory. The same spirit was felt again, this time not for victory, but how to save a Test match. There was bad news for the Aussies early morning when Josh Hazlewood's scan reports were not good.

His calf injury is major and it hit the Aussie bowling plans. Cummins had to bowl more than he had to, not that he looked tired. But then, on this day, he was at the receiving end. Imagine, Bumrah, considered a bunny with the bat, blasted Cummins for a six. There was more stick for Cummins, this time, Akash Deep scoring a vital four which helped India avoid the follow-on.

Weather forecast for Wednesday is bleak. Will the Aussie be able to get that 10th Indian wicket and then score runs? It does not look so rosy, even if the Aussies rack up 100-odd runs and decide to bowl. Rain plus their own tired bodies will now play havoc for the Aussies.

Cummins has been tamed and Mitchell Starc was also a stark contrast to watch. How Bumrah and Akash Deep showed batting skills was a delight. And once India got past that magic figure where the follow-on was averted, scenes in the dressing room, as seen on TV, were almost one of joy. Virat Kohli was most emotional and the way he celebrated with skipper Rohit and coach Gautam Gambhir was worth watching. Nasty social media memes and sadists were critical of the celebrations. There was reason to celebrate as hammering Pat Cummins is a joy to watch. Any fast bowler hates to be treated with disdain and two Indians showed that when it comes to soaking in the pressure as average batters, they are fearless.

A day before, Bumrah had joked about his own batting stuff and said search on Google. Today, Bumrah changed the narrative, his counter-attack was brilliant. Add to it the dashing, unbeaten effort from Akash Deep, the Aussies must be feeling haunted at the Gabba. Gabbatoir, anybody?