On a day heavily disrupted by frequent rain interruptions at the Gabba, Australia solidified their commanding position in the third Test match. After posting an imposing first-innings total of 445, the hosts made life miserable for India’s top order, leaving the visitors reeling at 51/4 by the end of Day 3. Despite limited play due to the bad weather, Australia capitalised on the conditions, leaving India facing an uphill battle to stay in the game.
It was a frustrating day for players and fans alike as rain continued to play spoilsport, with regular interruptions halting the game. It began with Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc resuming Australia’s innings. Starc showed clear intent to score quickly but fell early, nicking one to Rishabh Pant. Carey took charge, batting briskly to bring up a well-made fifty. With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable for the attack, Mohammed Siraj stepped in and dismissed Nathan Lyon. Soon after, Carey’s resistance ended when Akash Deep, after a long wait, claimed his first wicket in his 30th over.
After a third rain delay postponed the start of India’s first innings, Mitchell Starc struck early, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal for the third time in the series with just his second delivery. However, the mode of dismissal was somewhat unconventional, as Jaiswal flicked a full ball straight to Mitchell Marsh, positioned in front of square, who completed a sharp catch.
Marsh then moved to gully, where he pulled off a stunning grab to dismiss Shubman Gill, who was looking to drive Starc through the covers. The back-to-back dismissals left India in tatters, with Virat Kohli walking to the crease under immense pressure.
With India struggling, the responsibility fell to Kohli and KL Rahul to stabilise the innings. Meanwhile, Australia’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, keeping the Indian batters on edge.
Kohli’s short stay at the crease was riddled with near misses. Beaten on just the second ball he faced and then rattled by a sharp short delivery from Starc, Kohli looked unsettled. Trying to counterattack, he attempted a booming drive but ended up edging it to the keeper. His 16-ball stay ended in a fashion that has unfortunately become familiar in recent times. Josh Hazlewood deserves credit for the dismissal, tempting Kohli into playing his favorite stroke with a delivery that could have been left alone.
Rain returned just 11 balls into the second session and again after another 3.5 overs. After a brief restart, India lost Rishabh Pant, who poked at a length delivery from Pat Cummins angled across him. Only 2.5 overs were bowled before bad light brought an early end to the day. In the brief time Rahul and Rohit Sharma spent at the crease after the last rain break, they faced a few deliveries that turned considerably, and there was also a brief exchange between the two. India find themselves in a precarious position, and with the pitch showing signs of playing tricks, batting is unlikely to get any easier.
Amidst the rain delays and wickets tumbling around him, Rahul remained unbeaten on 33. Displaying grit and elegance, he played a series of exquisite cover drives despite taking a painful blow to his left wrist early in the innings.