Rain has continued to play the heavy hand at the Gabba, affecting the highly anticipated third Test match between India and Australia. After several interruptions on day four, India found themselves at 167 for 6 at lunch, trailing Australia by 278 runs. The morning kicked off with hopes for clearer skies, but the rain stripe returned, putting the match on pause once more.
KL Rahul's performance has been the highlight for India, as he successfully held down the fort, scoring 84 runs off 139 balls—his 17th Test half-century. Rahul's innings came during troubling times, as fellow opener and captain Rohit Sharma fell early, caught out by wicketkeeper Alex Carey after edging Pat Cummins. The Indian captain’s dismissal, coupled with persistent rain breaks, increased pressure on the remaining batsmen to avoid the follow-on.
On the other side, Australia's bowling unit was rocked by the unexpected loss of Josh Hazlewood, who reported calf soreness during warm-ups. After delivering just one over, he left the field, leaving the Australians to contend with the Indian batting lineup without one of their key bowlers. The hosts had to adjust on the fly, making strategical decisions mid-game, especially with India trying to capitalize on the situation.
Despite some inconsistency at the top of the order, India's Rahul and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who's poised at 41 not out, appeared to be put up with fortitude against Nathan Lyon’s spin. Their partnership looked to be the ray of hope the Indian camp needed, where every run counts. The duo had kept the scoreboard ticking, frustrating Aussie bowlers who were waiting for another Indian collapse.
After resuming play, Rahul found himself fortuitous when Smith dropped him early on the first ball of the day. This proved pivotal as Rahul used the near-miss to his advantage, producing back-to-back boundaries, showing resilience and scoring prowess committed to building on his innings. Jadeja chipped in with his own momentum, showcasing aggressive yet calculated strokes.
A pivotal moment came just before the lunch break when Nathan Lyon took advantage of Rahul's own excitement—a stunning catch from Steve Smith at slip brought his innings to its conclusion, becoming both victim and victor within mere moments. Rahul’s dismissal elicited gasps from fans and players alike; he went for the big shot but ended up giving away his wicket just 16 runs shy of what could have been his ninth Test century.
Throughout the test match, the weather has disrupted play, raising concerns over achieving a result with rain forecasts looming. The unpredictable elements have continued to offer India unexpected chances to salvage the match, setting the stage for tense encounters on the field. Following the rain breaks, the hope lingered among Indian supporters; their players, still facing pressures external and internal, needed to maintain focus.
Currently, all eyes are on bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has been shouldering the team’s expectations. With 18 wickets under his belt between the first and second Tests and criticisms flying due to the team’s performance gaps, Bumrah signifies stability and promise among turmoil. His leadership and experience become driving forces for the younger players feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of playing at this level.
Despite the challenging and messy day on the pitch, the atmosphere remains charged. Legends of the game like Glenn McGrath have commented on the Australian team's decision-making, advocating for proactive strategies rather than waiting for missteps from the Indian side. The feeling of tension looms heavy as former players analyze the encounters from the commentary box, reminiscing bout traditions of the past as they eye the current match’s direction.
Reports indicated this test could give way to learning opportunities for the Indian squad, highlighting the importance of adapting to weather challenges and game strategies. Jasprit Bumrah's emphasis on building morale amid chaos has reinforced the need for unity and resilience as they move through the remainder of the series.
With the third Test locked at 1-1, both teams are now focused on making the most of this continued contest as they surge forward. With Australia leading but not decisively off the back of their earlier performances and India's disappointing innings fading, the outcome remains tantalizingly uncertain, the outcome resting heavily on how the approaching weather and remaining play can swing the momentum.
