India’s No. 11 batter Akash Deep frustrated Australia even on the fifth and final day of the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday. Akash moved along to 31 before Team India were bowled out for 260, conceding a 185-run first innings lead.
However, there was a bizarre interaction between Akash and Australian batter Travis Head, who was fielding at the short-leg position. While attempting a slog sweep off Nathan Lyon, the ball lodged inside Akash Deep’s pad and the former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer immediately threw the ball to the ground.
Akash failed to notice that Head was nearby and thought the ball will be handed over to him which led to a heated chat. The exchange didn’t turn ugly unlike a previous one between Mohammed Siraj and Head as Akash Deep quickly apologised.
The video of the incident, however, quickly went viral on social media on a rain-hit 5th day in the Gabba Test.
Don’t think Travis Head loved that #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/XzR6kIJZu5
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2024
In the second Test at the Adelaide Oval, Head had got into a ugly fight with Siraj. Both Head and Siraj were fined by the ICC after pleading guilty. Head eventually ended the Indian innings with the ball as he had the last laugh by getting Akash Deep stumped for 31.
Lightening and subsequent rain allowed only 24 balls to be bowled in the first session on day five as the third Test between India and Australia headed towards a dull draw. The warning of severe weather was flashed on the digital scoreboard at the Gabba shortly after India were bowled out for 260 in their first innings, handing Australia a lead of 185 runs.
Akash Deep (31) was the last man out, stump off Travis Head, bringing an end to a 47-run stand with Jasprit Bumrah (10 not out). The duo had done well to avoid the follow-on on day four.
Players were asked to remain in the dressing room and fans were requested to take shelter away from the fence after the visitors were all out. Heavy rain followed and no play was possible in the session thereafter.
The forecast is largely clear for Brisbane from Thursday onwards but the entire game has been adversely impacted by bad weather with rain forcing multiple stoppages for four out of five days. Only day two of the game was not impacted by weather as Australia coasted to 405 for seven at the back of memorable hundreds from Travis Head and Steve Smith.
