Australia’s pacemen ripped through India’s top order on day three of the third test in Brisbane on Monday, but the rain slowed them down.
India were 51 for four at stumps, 394 runs behind Australia’s first-innings total, when play was abandoned nearly an hour early owing to terrible light at the Gabba. Rohit Sharma has yet to score, but opener KL Rahul was undefeated on 33.
Australia’s bowlers bowled 17 overs after being knocked out for 445 in the morning. Captain Pat Cummins trapped Rishabh Pant behind for nine in the first over after a rain break before tea. Two balls after Rahul’s brilliant cover drive for four against Mitchell Starc, tea was called early and the players left.
After tea, more rain delayed play, and Australia bowled only a few overs of spin owing to low light after paceman Starc finished his interrupted over. It was frustrating for the 16,180 fans and the home team, whose chances of winning dwindled.
Rain is expected on days four and five, adding to the anxiety. Today, Australia dominated play after Travis Head and Steve Smith produced century to reach a large total on day two. India’s reply started poorly as Starc and Mitchell Marsh took two wickets in six balls and Josh Hazlewood removed Virat Kohli.
The second delivery of the innings saw Yashasvi Jaiswal flick a shot off his pads to be out for four, with Marsh racing across from square leg to collect an easy catch. Starc then dismissed Shubman Gill for one as the number three drove a full delivery to send a thick edge to Marsh, who leapt to his left in the gully to collect a screamer.
Kohli was caught behind by a Hazlewood delivery after 16 deliveries for three runs. Although Hazlewood’s first ball of the morning hurt Rahul’s wrist, he survived.
Morning saw the hosts on 405 for seven, adding 40 runs for their last three wickets. While returned paceman Akash Deep took his first and only wicket, wicketkeeper Alex Carey scored 70 before being caught slugging.
Jasprit Bumrah took 6-76, adding Starc after the tailender scored 18, while Mohammed Siraj took 2-97, bowling Nathan Lyon for two. The five-match series is 1-1 with two matches in Melbourne and Sydney remaining.
