 "IND vs AUS: Rain has the final say as Gabba Test ends in draw, five-match series remain 1-1")
AUS vs IND 3rd Test Day 5 report: The third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Australia and India in Brisbane ended in a draw on Wednesday after Day five was washed out due to rain. India, who were all out for 260 in the first innings, had been set a target of 275 on Wednesday after Australia declared their second innings at 89/7.
Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul had begun India’s run-chase, but like it was the case earlier in the day, rain played spoilsport once again towards the latter half of the day, with a draw being inevitable. This also turned out to be Ravichandran Ashwin’s final international match as he announced his retirement in the post-match press conference.
Bad light and rain forced an early tea break soon after with India at 8 for no loss in 2.1 overs. The rain got heavier as the time passed and no play was possible thereafter.
The absorbing series is nicely poised going into the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. India would have fancied chasing 275 on day five but weather helped them immensely in the game controlled by Australia.
Jasprit Bumrah (3/18) was brilliant as usual in the second innings with Mohammed Siraj (2/36) and Akash Deep (2/28) offering good support. Australia’s approach in the second essay was brave and questionable at the same time.
Nathan McSweeney (4) and Marnus Labuschagne (1) went after balls outside the off-stump and perished while Usman Khawaja (8) and Mitchell Marsh (2) fell to good deliveries.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsLoss of regular wickets no problem for Australia
Wickets falling in a heap did not impact Australia’s approach as they kept going for the big hits. Skipper Cummins chipped in with two sixes and as many fours before the declaration.
In the morning session, lightening and subsequent rain allowed only 24 balls to be bowled. 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.
Steve Smith strolled down the pitch to Mohammed Siraj one ball and was gone the next 👀 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/TPpdBCT9of
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2024
Akash Deep (31) was the last man out, stumped off a Travis Head delivery, 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.
The forecast was 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 on the back of memorable hundreds from Head and Steve Smith. Going into the fourth Test beginning December 26, India have major concerns in both batting and bowling department which they must address.
Barring KL Rahul, who has been India’s standout batter on the tour, the star-studded line up has not found a way to negotiate the threats posed by the Australian pace attack. Skipper Rohit Sharma has been woefully short of runs and after the hundred in Perth, superstar Virat Kohli has struggled with ball outside the off-stump.
Majority of the batters have been guilty of playing away from their bodies in challenging conditions. They will need to curb their white-ball instincts to make an impact at MCG.
On the bowling front too, it has been effectively a one man show with Jasprit Bumrah doing the heavy lifting in all the games.
Mohammed Siraj bowled in the Brisbane Test with a niggle, leaving a question mark over his fitness ahead of the Melbourne game.
Akash Deep, who played ahead of Harshit Rana, bowled well in the game but did not have a lot of luck, especially against Smith. He is expected to retain his place the eleven.
AUS vs IND Highlights: Indian bowlers made a blistering start to the final day of the third Test against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep took two wickets each. The quick burst of wickets after the Indian cricket team was bowled out for 260 added some excitement to the match which appears to be heading towards draw due to weather conditions.
After a rain-curtailed first session, the second session in third match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy also witnessed a delayed start, but once Indian bowlers got the ball, they were quick to take first six wickets for just 60. Bumrah dismissed Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, while Akash Deep removed Nathan McSweeney and Mitchell Marsh. Mohammed Siraj dismissed Steve Smith and the dangerous Travis Head.
AUS vs IND DAY 5: What happened in the first session
Only 24 balls was bowled bowled in the first session as early lunch was taken due to lightening and subsequent rain 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.
Pat Cummins definitely didn't forget about Akash Deep hitting him for six 😅#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/UW7ZOLUuMe
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2024
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.
Irrespective of the outcome on Wednesday, India have major concerns in both batting and bowling departments which they must address going into the fourth Test beginning on December 26.
Barring K L Rahul, who has been India’s stand out batter on the tour, the star-studded line up has not found a way to negotiate the threats posed by the Australian pace attack.
Skipper Rohit Sharma has been woefully short of runs and after the hundred in Perth, superstar Virat Kohli has struggled with ball outside the off-stump.
Majority of the batters have been guilty of playing away from their bodies in challenging conditions.
They will need to curb their white-ball instincts to make an impact at the MCG.
On the bowling front too, it has been effectively a one man show with Jasprit Bumrah doing the heavy lifting in all the games. Mohammed Siraj bowled in the Brisbane Test with a niggle, leaving a question mark over his fitness ahead of the Melbourne game.
With agency inputs
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