KL Rahul was ready to pad up, Akash Deep told to 'calm down': Indian dressing room scenes before avoiding follow-on

The Indian dressing room was a nervous wreck as Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah fought their way to ensure that the follow-on was avoided.

KL Rahul has revealed that he entertained thoughts of padding up to bat again when India lost their ninth wicket for 213 on Day 4 of the Gabba Test in Brisbane against Australia. Rahul was the top-scorer for India in the first innings with 84, but with a follow-on threat looming, Rahul was preparing himself to have a second go in the day. However, fortunately for him and the entire Indian team, it didn't come down to it as the last-wicket pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep forged a spirited partnership of 39 unbeaten runs to take India to 252/9 at stumps and, in the process, avoid the dreaded follow on.

India's Akash Deep sends one into the stands (AP)

India must breathe a lot easier now, knowing they are in a much better situation in the match despite not being out of the woods yet. The chances of the match ending in a draw look most likely, with two more innings to unfold over three sessions, rain notwithstanding. Having said that, it wasn't always the case. With 33 runs needed and one wicket hand, India feared the worst, admits Rahul, which prompted the opener to prepare himself to approach the second innings mentally should the need arise.

"It's very good to see when the lower order chips in and scores runs. That's something we discuss a lot in our meetings and the bowlers work really hard on their batting as well. Really good to see that they can go there and get that little partnership and avoid the follow-on. [It] makes a huge difference knowing that there is a bit of rain around and so much of the match has been lost because of it. We had to find a way to stay in the game and Akash and Bumrah did that. Good way to end the day for us," Rahul said about Akash and Bumrah's effort.

But the road to avoiding the follow-on wasn't easy. Australians were relentlessly probing away, but hats off to Bumrah and Akash for showing tremendous restraint in their approach. Neither batter tried the big shots and focussed on playing orthodox and grounded strokes. Akash's punches of the backfoot were a treat to the sore eyes, one that would have made any top-order batter proud.

However, the one time Akash tried to whack one out of the middle, India needed just four away. The team management quickly noticed Akash's lapse in concentration and took immediate measures. A visual showed Virat Kohli come out to the dressing room balcony to convey some message, with Rahul explaining the entire process.

"It's very simple. Try and get those runs. Don't have to try and do it with a boundary but just knock it around with singles. They (Australia) had spread the field so the singles were there to be taken. So just stay a bit more patient because just before the message went out, we saw that Akash tried to hit a boundary, so just a message to calm down and see if they can get 5-6 singles and avoid the follow-on," he added.

Akash was able to get his swing of the long handle when he smashed Pat Cummins deep into the stands over long-on.