Rain Interrupts Australia’s Charge as India Stumbles at Gabba

Day three of the third Test at the Gabba saw Australia gain an early advantage, but rain disrupted their momentum as India struggled with the bat. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood delivered a fiery opening spell, reducing India to 22/3 at lunch. Starc, with Mitchell Marsh's support, dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill cheaply, while Hazlewood accounted for the prized wicket of Virat Kohli for just three. 

India’s reply to Australia’s 445 was tentative, with Jasprit Bumrah earlier claiming 6/76 to curtail the hosts' innings. Alex Carey’s 70 and Mitchell Starc’s quick 18 provided late resistance before Bumrah and Akash Deep wrapped up the tail. 

The rain, which had affected earlier play in Brisbane, interrupted the match again, forcing an early lunch. Showers are forecast to persist, complicating both teams’ efforts to gain a decisive edge in this crucial Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

The second day belonged to Australia, with centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith propelling the hosts to a commanding position. The pair added a massive 241 for the fourth wicket, countering India’s strong start, which had seen Bumrah remove both openers and Nitish Kumar Reddy dismiss Marnus Labuschagne. 

Head’s ninth Test ton and Smith’s 33rd were the highlights of the day. Despite Bumrah’s stellar effort, including breaking the partnership and completing a five-wicket haul, Australia ended day two at 405/7, firmly in control as they sought to take a series lead. 

Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj