India end day at 51 for 4, trailing Australia by 394 runs
BRISBANE: India’s ongoing struggles with their top order batting came to the fore again on what turned into a rain-affected day at the Gabba, as they finished Day 3 of the Brisbane Test at a precarious 51 for 4, trailing Australia by 394 runs. The day was plagued by interruptions, with play being halted eight times due to rain, allowing only 33.1 overs to be bowled.
Australia, resuming their innings at 405 for 7, extended their total to 445 before the rain pauses affected the proceedings. The lower order added 40 crucial runs amid the damp conditions, with Jasprit Bumrah taking his sixth wicket of the innings by dismissing skipper Pat Cummins. This feat marked his 50th Test wicket in Australia, a milestone for the fast bowler. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who played an impressive innings filled with aggressive strokes, finished with a score of 70, ensuring his side had a substantial lead.
In response, India faced an uphill battle against an imposing Australian pace attack featuring Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins. Starc wasted no time in claiming the first wicket as Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for a duck, caught on a risky flick to Mitchell Marsh at square leg. The pace duo further wreaked havoc on the Indian batting line-up as Shubman Gill edged a delivery from Starc to the slips, and Virat Kohli followed suit, driving loosely at a wide Hazlewood delivery to edge behind.
Rishabh Pant’s dismissal soon followed as he again faltered to an angled delivery, leaving KL Rahul to shoulder the innings from one end. Retained as an opener for the third consecutive Test, Rahul displayed resilience amidst the chaos, reaching 33 not out off 64 balls. He struck three boundaries, showcasing his ability to counter the hostile pace, but with captain Rohit Sharma yet to get off the mark, India’s fate hung in the balance.
Day 4 promises to be challenging, with weather forecasts predicting up to 30mm of rain, which could further disrupt the play. India’s immediate goal upon resumption will be to reach 246 runs to avoid the follow-on.
The specter of rain looms large, potentially deciding the outcome of the match. The Indian side will need to rally and display character to overcome the challenges posed by both the opposition and the weather if they hope to salvage their chances in this Test series.