Aussie cricket greats fume at two controversial officiating decisions as India surge late on day four to avoid a follow-on
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India have clawed their way back into the third Test after rain delays have hampered proceedings at the Gabba this weekend. But two Aussie cricket greats have been left 'frustrated' at multiple officiating decisions, after rain and bad light plagued day four at the Gabba.
![[Play was stopped several times on day three and four, with India fighting back late on to avoid a follow-on]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/10/93226545-14200833-image-a-51_1734431157873.jpg)
The tourists avoided a follow-on despite being reduced to 213-9 late on in the day. They needed 33 runs to make Australia bat again, but Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep weathered the hosts' bowling attack, taking India past the follow-on mark. Relief subsequently erupted in the Indian changing room, with Virat Kohli seen high-fiving team-mates and coaches.
![[Fox Sports commentator Kerry O'Keefe has lashed out at officials for the length of time it has taken to get players back on the field following rain delays]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/10/93226471-14200833-image-a-53_1734431169887.jpg)
Bumrah bravely slogged Pat Cummins for six at one stage, sending a huge shot high up into the darkening Brisbane sky, while Deep was particularly excellent, hitting 27 runs off 31 balls. Rain has caused havoc at the Gabba this week, causing around 15 delays to the third Test.
![[Adam Gilchrist (left, sat next to Travis Head, right) also hit out at the decision to suspend play on Tuesday due to bad light]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/10/93226465-14200833-image-a-54_1734431175265.jpg)
Play was stopped several times on day three and four, with India fighting back late on to avoid a follow-on. But just one delivery later, officials decided to call time on proceedings at approximately 5.52pm due to bad light. It was a call that left Fox Cricket commentator Adam Gilchrist baffled, with the ex-Test cricket star lashing out at match officials.
![[Pat Cummins enjoyed a fruitful day with the ball in hand, taking four wickets, but could not force India to bat again]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/10/93226719-14200833-image-a-57_1734431256431.jpg)
'Another interesting statement about cricket and its rules, he's just hit Pat Cummins out of the ground, two deliveries later they say it's unfit for play,' Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket. 'I'm stunned,' he added. It came after a spate of rain delays hampered the fourth Test in Brisbane, with Kerry O'Keefe blasting match officials over how long it has taken play to resume following each hiatus.
![[Akash Deep arrived at the crease to hit 27 runs off 31 deliveries to help steady the ship for India]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/10/93226703-14200833-image-a-55_1734431226129.jpg)
