Tail-end heroics from India leave Australia unlikely to snatch victory at Gabba

Thanks for joining us for a dramatic day four of this third Test. We’ll be back from 10.15 (AEDT) on Wednesday for the final day of play at the Gabba. See you then.

If less dramatic than the ball Glenn McGrath trod on at Edgbaston in 2005, team warm-ups before day four at the Gabba will not be remembered fondly by Australia.

A day that began with Australia still a genuine chance to force a Gabba victory over India via the follow-on had its major twist before the first official ball was bowled.

Read the full analysis from a potentially series-defining day here.

It’s confirmed – Australia would have enforced the follow-on if they’d managed to bowl India out in time.

Bowling coach Daniel Vettori confirmed that after play today.

The Australians were not given the opportunity though, after being on the receiving end of a remarkable and potentially match-defining last-wicket stand between Indian tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep.

Read the full report here.

A huge blow for Australia’s chance of victory there as India avoid the follow-on. Can’t see a world where they win from here.

I don’t think Australia would even give India a sniff of victory on day five. My guess is Australia might just try and bat the day tomorrow and put as many overs into India’s bowlers as possible, particularly given they are a man down with Josh Hazlewood injured. With up to 25mm of rain forecast in Brisbane tomorrow, it could be taken out of their hands anyway.

Nathan McSweeney gave a sigh of relief he didn’t have to bat against Jasprit Bumrah tonight.

What a day.

We had the frustrating rain delays we’ve got used to at the Gabba, but we also had plenty of excitement, with Steve Smith missing an absolute sitter of a catch from KL Rahul with the first ball of the game, before eventually getting his man with a beautiful diving catch much later to dismiss him on 84.

India looked absolutely set for a follow on, in spite of the efforts of Rahul and later Ravindra Jadeja who posted 77 runs.

Then it was the time for the tailenders to shine as Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah combined for 37 runs that stopped Australia from enforcing a follow-on despite Pat Cummins’ best efforts with the ball.

It gives India every opportunity of a draw, with both Bumrah and Deep ready to bat for a few more overs tomorrow.

Pat Cummins leads his team off the field Credit: Getty Images

What absolutely magnificent work from India’s tailenders after they save the follow-on, completely against the odds.

Then just to rub salt into Pat Cummins’ wounds, Akash Deep hits a monster six.

A huge reaction from the Indian team in the stands for Jasprit Bumrah and Deep, who acknowledge the applause.

Now the umpire has called stumps due to the fading light. Deep has hit a career-high score of 27 as he walks off the field and will want to add a few more runs onto his score tomorrow morning. This could well change the series.

India 9-252 (at stumps)

Akash Deep helped to save India from what looked like a certain follow onCredit: AP

Wonderful work again from Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah who are still there and still fighting.

India need just six runs to avoid the follow-on. Incredible.

Pat Cummins is absolutely out on his feet and exhausted after taking on so much work as a bowler in this humidity.

India 9-238 (after 72 overs)