Rain Disrupts Day 1 at the Gabba
The much-anticipated third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Brisbane’s Gabba began with promise but ended on a disappointing note as rain limited play to just 13.2 overs. Australia, batting first, reached 28/0 when play was called off for the day. For the 30,185 fans who attended, a full refund was issued due to the minimal playtime. Frustratingly, the rain eased only 15 minutes after the match was abandoned.
India Wins the Toss and Elects to Bowl
Under overcast skies, Indian captain Rohit Sharma chose to bowl first on a wicket that opener Shubman Gill had earlier described as good for batting. The decision aligned with recent Gabba trends, where teams bowling first have won six of the last seven matches.
The Indian lineup saw the inclusion of Akash Deep and Ravindra Jadeja. Akash Deep’s selection was not surprising, given his impressive performances alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in practice sessions. Jadeja’s inclusion raised eyebrows, particularly as Washington Sundar, who had a memorable contribution in India’s historic Gabba victory in 2021, missed out.
A Tentative Start for India’s Bowlers
India’s bowlers struggled to find their rhythm early on, with Bumrah failing to deliver the sharpness he displayed in earlier games. The Gabba pitch offered bounce but lacked significant lateral movement, making batting more comfortable compared to the conditions in Perth and Adelaide.
After 5.3 overs, rain interrupted play for the first time, allowing India’s bowlers and leadership team, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant, to strategize on the boundary line. The brief consultation brought noticeable improvement in line and length after the break, restricting the flow of runs but failing to produce breakthroughs.
Weather Woes Loom Over the Match
The persistent rain and gloomy forecast are a concern for the remainder of the match. While Day 2 is expected to see fewer interruptions, the subsequent days are predicted to be rain-affected. Despite this, both teams will be cautious, knowing that modern cricket’s unpredictability often turns games on their head quickly.
As things stand, India will need the sun to emerge and the pitch to quicken if they are to make a strong comeback. For now, the focus remains on capitalizing on any opportunity that the weather might allow.
