On Day 3 of the Brisbane Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India’s batting woes took center stage as they slumped to 51/4 in response to Australia’s formidable 445. Amid weather disruptions and challenging conditions at the Gabba, Australia tightened their grip on the game, leaving India with a steep mountain to climb.
A Day of Rain and Missed Opportunities
Rain played a significant role, causing seven interruptions and delaying the start of play. Despite the frequent stops, Australia capitalized on every opportunity, adding to India’s struggles. The visitors’ batting collapse dampened hopes of a strong reply, with KL Rahul (33) and Rohit Sharma (0) at the crease when bad light and drizzle brought an early end to the day’s play.
Australia’s Dominance in the Morning
Resuming their innings, Australia extended their total to a commanding 445, thanks to Alex Carey’s composed 70 off 88 balls. While Ravindra Jadeja struggled to make an impact, Jasprit Bumrah stood out with a stellar performance, taking 6/76 in his 28-over spell. Bumrah’s early dismissal of Mitchell Starc provided a glimmer of hope, but Australia’s middle and lower order ensured a significant lead.
India’s Fragile Batting Exposed
The pitch, offering both bounce and movement, proved challenging for India’s top order. Mitchell Starc struck early, removing Yashasvi Jaiswal for 4 in just the second ball of the innings. Jaiswal, who began the series with a century in Perth, has since struggled, particularly against left-arm pacers, with his average against them now a concerning 17.
Shubman Gill followed soon after, dismissed for 1 by a brilliant diving catch from Mitch Marsh at gully. Virat Kohli, once again, fell victim to his Achilles’ heel—chasing a wide delivery outside off stump and edging it to the keeper. Rishabh Pant also perished cheaply, beaten by Pat Cummins’ angle and caught behind.
KL Rahul Holds Firm Amid Chaos
While wickets tumbled at one end, KL Rahul showcased some resistance. He carefully bided his time, waiting for loose deliveries to play his shots. His boundary through the covers after a rain break was one of the few highlights of India’s innings. However, the overall lack of partnerships and intent from the rest of the batting lineup has put India in a precarious position.
Australia Dictates Terms
Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh praised his team’s disciplined bowling effort. “Our bowling unit has been aggressive and focused on taking wickets, and today was no different,” he remarked. Steve Smith, reflecting on his team’s batting strategy, highlighted how Australia’s top three had laid the foundation by facing almost 50 balls each, something India’s lineup failed to replicate.
The Road Ahead for India
With Australia firmly in control, India’s primary goal will be to survive as long as possible in the first innings to avoid a follow-on. The top order must show resilience and adapt to the testing conditions if they hope to salvage the match.
As things stand, Australia remains poised to dictate the game, while India faces a daunting challenge to turn the tide in their favor.
