The third Test match between India and Australia, held at the Gabba in Brisbane, ended in a draw due to relentless rainfall on the fifth day, leaving the series tied at 1-1.
The match was marked by intermittent weather disruptions, with India chasing a challenging target of 275 runs before play was called off due to bad light and more rain.
Despite some exciting moments on the final day, such as India's quick dismissals of Australian batsmen, the weather ultimately decided the fate of the match.
On the final day, India’s pace trio – Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj – made early breakthroughs, leaving Australia at 16/3. Usman Khawaja was dismissed by Bumrah for 8, and Marnus Labuschagne followed soon after for just 1.
Akash Deep then got the vital wickets of Nathan McSweeney and Mitchell Marsh, reducing Australia to a precarious position. Siraj also played a key role, removing Travis Head and Steve Smith.
Australia's lower order, led by captain Pat Cummins and Alex Carey, fought back briefly to take the lead beyond 270 runs before declaring their innings at 89/7. This gave India the daunting target of 275 runs.
India’s bowlers had kept Australia’s progress in check, but the rain kept interrupting play, forcing the match to end prematurely.
Earlier in the match, Australia had posted a formidable total of 445 runs in their first innings. Steve Smith and Travis Head starred with centuries, both scoring 241 runs together for the fourth wicket. Smith’s 101 and Head’s blistering 152 were the standout performances, and Alex Carey contributed a quick-fire 70.
India, in reply, struggled to get going initially, but KL Rahul’s 84 and Ravindra Jadeja’s 77 helped India avoid a follow-on. Bumrah, with a superb 6-wicket haul, was India’s top performer with the ball, while Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj took two wickets each.
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc led the way for Australia with the ball, claiming four and three wickets, respectively. Despite India’s batting struggles, the resilience shown by their lower order ensured they posted a total of 260, reducing Australia’s first-innings lead to 185 runs.
On Day 5, Australia, in a bid to make quick runs and force India to bat again, adopted an aggressive approach.
However, the plan backfired as they lost quick wickets. With the rain continuing to pour, play was called off when India had scored 8/0 in their second innings, with both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rahul remaining unbeaten.
The draw leaves both teams tied at 1-1 in the five-match series, and the action now shifts to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test, where both teams will look to gain the upper hand. With the series delicately poised, the coming matches promise to be thrilling.
The final scorecard of the match showed Australia posting 445/10 in 117.1 overs, with Bumrah taking 6/76. India responded with 260/10 in 78.5 overs, with Rahul scoring 84 and Cummins claiming 4/81. Australia declared their second innings at 89/7 in 18 overs, with Carey (20*) and Cummins (22) the top scorers. India’s chase was interrupted, with Jaiswal and Rahul at 8/0 in 2.1 overs.
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