From Rain Delays to Boxing Day Anticipation: Australia and India’s Series Reaches a Boiling Point
CricketPanditAustralia and India will head into the Boxing Day Test with the series tied after the third Test in Brisbane ended in a draw, following more bad weather that limited play on the fifth day to just 24.1 overs. The decision to call it was made shortly after the Tea break, as players left the field due to poor light and the threat of rain. India was at 8 for 0 in their second innings, chasing a target of 275 runs in about 54 overs.
Overall, the Gabba Test saw only 216.1 overs of play, which is typically what you would expect by the middle of the third day. The match was heavily impacted by the weather from the start, with only 13.2 overs played on Day 1 and just 33.1 on Day 3. Despite this, Australia had opportunities to take a series lead after scoring 445 in their first innings and reducing India to 74 for 5 in their response.
However, the visitors were saved by the weather and the fact that Australia was down to just two frontline fast bowlers after Josh Hazlewood suffered a calf strain. Key contributions from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, along with a determined 47-run partnership for the 10th wicket between Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah, helped India avoid the follow-on late on Day 4.
Australia continued to seek a win, but their efforts were repeatedly hindered by the weather. In a frantic post-lunch session on the final day, after only four overs were bowled in the morning, their batters attempted to attack the bowling, giving India a glimpse of a surprising victory. After Jasprit Bumrah bowled Usman Khawaja for the fourth time in the series, India quickly had Australia at 33 for 5, with Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj taking wickets against Australian batters eager to hit big.
Travis Head and Alex Carey managed a brisk 27-run partnership off 22 balls before Pat Cummins hit two sixes and two fours.
