Day 3 of the third Test between India and Australia at the Gabba turned into a nightmare for the Indian team as the top-order batting lineup collapsed for just 44 runs. Under testing conditions and a relentless Australian pace attack, India struggled to find answers, with frustration evident even in the dressing room. Head coach Gautam Gambhir was caught on camera doing shadow practice, which sparked online discussions among fans. Some speculated he was demonstrating to Virat Kohli how to leave deliveries outside the off-stump—a weakness that has plagued the star batter throughout the series.
Rain-Interrupted Day Adds to India’s Misery
The day was marked by persistent rain, which halted play six times before early stumps were called. Despite the disruptions, Australia managed to add 40 runs to their overnight total, finishing at 445 in their first innings. Jasprit Bumrah led India’s bowling effort with an exceptional 6/76.
India’s response with the bat, however, was dismal. KL Rahul showed some resistance, but the rest of the top order faltered under the pressure of a Kookaburra ball that moved significantly due to its lacquered seam. Mitchell Starc struck twice, Josh Hazlewood dismissed a key player, and Pat Cummins dealt a crushing blow by removing Rishabh Pant, leaving India in tatters.
Gambhir’s Shadow Practice Sparks Fan Reactions
The cameras caught Gambhir in the dressing room practicing the art of leaving balls outside the off-stump. Fans on social media were quick to draw connections to Kohli, who has been repeatedly dismissed in this series by deliveries in the “corridor of uncertainty.” Kohli’s struggles against the Australian pace attack have been glaring, raising questions about his technique against such deliveries.
Kohli’s Series So Far: A Mixed Bag
Virat Kohli entered this Border-Gavaskar Trophy with mounting pressure after a lean run against New Zealand. A century in Perth seemed to silence critics briefly, helping him climb back into the ICC Test rankings’ top 20. However, his performances in Adelaide, where he managed only 7 and 11, highlighted his vulnerability outside the off-stump.
In the ongoing series, Kohli has managed just 126 runs, making it one of his least successful outings against Australia. This underwhelming performance is second only to the disastrous 2016/17 series at home, where he scored just 46 runs in five innings.
The Road Ahead
With India’s top order struggling against a rejuvenated Australian bowling attack, the team needs to reassess its approach heading into the final stretch of the series. For Kohli, a player of his caliber, finding a way to counter deliveries outside the off-stump will be critical—not just for this series but for his future in Test cricket.
As fans and analysts continue to debate Gambhir’s shadow practice, it is clear that India must quickly adapt to the challenging conditions to avoid a repeat of their Gabba disaster.
